
MAId}AR4] liSTC{][EEl (DA\&H]i?E]l 



®hc ^uoxAs of (^xUxA. 

Qm\nm of §ipmucfe, futgumat mA 

iSiosrapIjtral Sfertrfjrs anti Notes, 
1630—1890. 

IHanncrs antj jFasljions of tfje Kimt, 



IHars BcMitt jFreclanli. 



itiuisittatcd with 
Steel (fHngrabings. 



iUbanji,!.!.: 

Soel JHunseirs Sons. 

1894. 



f1^ 



5 

Copy. 



J 



^ /it-,. 



7 



CONTENTS. 



NIPMUCK HISTORY. 

Chapter I. 

Lady Mary Armyne 5 

Sketch of the Nipmuck Country ... 5 

Chapter II. 
Records from the Royal Historical 

Society, London 14 

Chaptp^r III. 

Hassanaraisset 25 

Rev. John Eliot visits Worcester.. 28 

Story of Julia Jaha 31 

Christianized Towns 35 

Chapter IV. 

Sketch of Rev. .John Eliot 3G 

A letter from John Duuton to Rev. 

Dr. Samuel Annesly, in London. 39 
Sketch of Hon, Robert Boyle 44 

Chapter V. 

Philip's War 48 

Mark's Garrison 50 

New Braintree 51 

Description of Narragansett Fort. . 54 
Mrs. Rowlandson's Removes 55 

Chapter VI. 
Col. Church's Narrative 70 

Chapter VII. 
Gov. Mayhew's Sketch of Philip's 

War 81 

A Letter to Sir Henry Vane 85 

Gov. Winthrop's Journal 87 

Rev. Roger Williams in London ... 88 

A Letter from Holland 91 

A Poem. Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. . . 93 

Chapter VIII. 
Huguenot History, 1515-1547 94 

Chapter IX. 
Huguenot History, 1547-1559 100 



Chapter X. 

Huguenot History, 1589-1685 108 

Chapter XI. 

Colonial History 122 

Chapter XII. 

The Huguenot's Farewell 134 

The Edict of Nantes 135 

The Huguenots in Boston 137 

The French Settlement in Oxford. .141 

Old French Mill 143 

Chapter XIII. 

King William's War, 1689 146 

Daniel Allen, Representative 147 

Rev. Daniel Bondet in Boston 149 

Mrs. Butler's Reminiscences 151 

Woodstock Records 155 

Jausen Massacre 157 

The Departure of the Huguenots 

from Oxford 159 

Chapter XIV. 
Resettlement of Oxford by the 

French 163 

Records from Royal Historical So- 
ciety 165 

Letter from the Archbishop of Can- 
terbury 167 

Letter from the Lord Bishop of 

London 167 

Commerce of Oxford in 1700 169 

A Petition to Gov. Bellemont 171 

Chapter XV. 

Bernon's Contract 173 

Bernon's Letter to Gov. Dudley ...175 

Bernon's Grants of Land 177 

Bernon's Deed to Mayo, Davis and 

Weld 179 

Deed of Gov. Dudley to Bernon...l81 

Bernon's Petition to the King 183 

Records of English Settlement 187 



II 



CONTENTS. 



Rev. Dr. Holmes' Visit to Oxford .189 
Capt. Humphrey's Ileminiscences .191 

French Churchyard >....193 

French Families in Oxford 195 

Chapter XVI. 

French Gardens 196 

Letter from Mrs. L. H. Sigourney.199 

French Gardens continued 201 

French Fort 207 

ENGLISH HISTORY. 
Chapter XVII. 

The Annals of Oxford 215 

Richard Rogers 228 

Sketch of Sumner Barstow, Esq. . . .229 
Chapter XVIII. 

Notable Old Houses 235 

Chapter XIX. 

Roads and Milestones 253 

Chapter XX. 
Taverns and Post-Offices 2G5 



Chapter XXI. 
Churches 285 

Chapter XXIL 

Schools and Libraries 308 

Richard Rogers and school-house.. 308 

Chapter XXIII. 
Manufactui-es and Old Fashions . . . .329 

Chapter XXIV. 
The Inter-Colonial Wars 348 

Chapter XXV. 
Revolutionary War 360 

Chapter XXVI. 

War of 1812 395 

Mexican War 399 

The Civil War 404 

Chronological Review of the Civil 
War 413 




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND NOTES. 



Gabriel Bernon, the Founder of the 

French Settlement in Oxford. ...418 
Letter from Hon. Zachariah Allen 

to M. de AV. Freeland 427 

The Same 428 

Huguenot Ancestry by Ex-Gov. 

Dyer, Providence, R. 1 429 

Letter of G. Bernon Dyer to Mrs, 

Freeland 434 

Tourtelotte Ancestry 435 

Faneuil 436 

Butler and Davie 439 

Reminiscences of James Butler.- • .442 

Sigourney and Germaine 446 

Letter of Hon. Martin Brimmer . . .447 

Daniel Johonnot 4.i2 

Francis Le Baron, M.D 457 

Bowdoin 458 

Hon. Alexander DeWitt (with por- 
trait) 460 

Sternes DeWitt 462 

Ancestry of William Makepeace. . .463 

William Earl 464 

Freeland 465 

Campbell, Rev. John 468 

John Campbell 470 

Duncan Campbell, Esq 470 

John Campbell, M.D., of Putney, 

Vt 471 

Alexander Campbell, M.D., of Put- 
ney, Vt 471 

Major Archibald Campbell of Ox- 
ford 472 

Alexander Campbell, M.D., of Ox- 
ford 473 

Edward Raymond Campbell, M.D. , 

of Westminster, Vt 473 

Alexander Campbell, M.D., of 

Rocliingham 473 

Rev. Archibald Campbell, Stock- 
bridge, Vt 473 



Capt. William Campbell 474 

John Campbell, Otsego Co., N. Y..475 
Funeral Sermon of Rev. John 

Campbell 476 

Rev. John Campbell's Memorial as 
the Executor of the Will of 

Richard Williams, Esq 477 

Daniel Campbell, M.D 479 

The Sedgwick Papers 479 

Reminiscences of Miss M. B. Camp- 
bell of Charleston, S, C 481 

Letter from William Campbell 

(Captain), Trees bank House.... 483 
Letter from the Duke of Argyle...487 

Douglas Peerage of Scotland 487 

Lilley 489 

Capt. Thomas Sternes of Worcester. 491 
Mrs. McClellan, widow of General 
Samuel McClellan of Woodstock, 

Ct 493 

Hon. William Jennison of Worces- 
ter 494 

Peter Goulding, Esq 496 

Towne and Harris Ancestry 498 

Wolcott 501 

Edward Kitchen .502 

Judge Wolcott of Salem 503 

Gov. Roger Wolcott of Connecticut, 
Conquest of Louisburg in 1745, in 

command of Colonial force 505 

John Freake of Boston, a Descrip- 
tion of the Family Portraits 506 

Edward Hutchinson of Boston, sub- 
sequently of Oxford 507 

Peter Papillon, a Description of his 
Mansion House in Boston, and 

Wardrobe 509 

The English Branch of Papillon 

Family oil 

Learned and Alverson 513 

Davis on 



IV 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND NOTES. 



Shumway 518 

Gilbert, Ancestry of, Hartford, Ct..522 
Col. Thomas Gilbert of Taunton, 

Mass 524 

Rossiter 525 

Crane 527 

Amidowu 527 

Rawson 530 

Bondet, Rev. Daniel 533 

Moore and Barton 540 

The Birds of Passage 546 

NOTES. 

NTPMUCK CHAPTERS. 

An Indian deed 549 

A letter from Lord Belleniont to the 

Lords of Trade, London 550 

Keekamoochaug 551 

A notification from James the 

Printer 552 

The oldest bouse in the Narragan- 

sett 552 

Canonchet 553 

Capt. Prentice and his troops in the 

Narragausett 554 

HUGUENOT CHAPTERS. 

Lawson's travels 558 

Note of Mary Queen of Scots leav- 
ing France .558 

A letter from Bishop Hall to Rev. 

Dr. Primrose, 1629 559 

A letter from Rev. Dr. Primrose of 

London to Bishop Hall 560 

A letter from Bishop Hall to Lord 

Edward Earl 561 

William of Nassau in 1579 561 

A description of the Massacre of 
Paris by the Duke of Sully, after- 
ward prime minister to Henry 

IV. of France 562 

Sir Philip Sydney 562 

King Henry IV 563 

The age of the Fronde 563 

Marquise de Scvigne 563 

Ren6 Grignon 564 

Walloon Country 546 



" The Olde Mill " 564 

Three Historic Oaks 565 

Huguenot Memorial Society 566 

Monuments at the ruins of the 
French fortifications 566 

ENGLISH CHAPTERS. 

The mill estate at Augutteback pond 571 
Law respecting frontier towns ....573 
Changes in the town boundaries... 573 

Incorporation of Webster 573 

The Old Connecticut road 574 

The New Connecticut road 574 

Bay Path 574 

Ancient fashion of an Ordination in 

Church 575 

Funeral ceremonies of Lady Andros 576 

Adams' army 577 

The Freake lands ■ 578 

English Trading House 579 

A letter of Anthony Sigourney from 

the army 580 

Disbandmeut of the i-egiment at 

Oxford, 1800 581 

Maj.-Geu. Hamilton's visit to Ox- 
ford 581 

Washington's Funeral 583 

Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury's Caval- 
ry Company 583 

Schools 587 

Dame School 588 

Schools in Old Colony Time 589 

Massachusetts Ordinance, 1647 591 

Distinguished Educators: Mrs. 
Emma Willard, Mrs. Harriet 
Beecher Stowe, Mrs. L. H. 

Sigourney 592 

Slavery in Oxford 596 

Proclamation for an English Settle- 
ment in Oxford 603 

Proprietors' Records 604 

Grand Proprietors' Lots ...605 

An Ancient Record from London. .608 

Hobart Grant 609 

The Roxbury School Grant 610 

Campbell Grant 611 

North Gore Lands 012 



ERUA TA. 

A petition of Rev. James Laborie on page 164 not completed until page 168. 
Page 15, for'$12,000 read £12,000. 
Page 20, for Ruper read Xuper. 
Page 252, for Miller read Mellen. 
Page 263, for Leonard read Learned. 

Page 195, Daniel Allen, an English gentleman, was chosen by the government 
a representative for New Oxford to the General Court at Boston. 




<A 



Y (7a-?/-^ ■^/Yr/'///y ^5^^////^/^ 



CHAPTER I. 

Chapters of "Nipmugk Histokt." 

Lady Mary Armine [Arrayne] of England, by her benefac- 
tions to the natives of the Nipmuck country for their educa- 
tion and christianization, became so interested in her life as to 
become a part of their history, as she was their patroness. 
From an old record : 

" Lady Armyne gave large yearly contributions to promote 
the carrying on of the work begnn in New England, for the 
conversion of the poor Indians in those parts. And this she 
continued even to her dying day. And of the success of that 
undertaking she had an annual Account to her rejoicing." 

Lady Armyne gave twenty pounds per annum to Rev. John 
Eliot for his Indian schools in the Nipmuck country at Natick 
and Hassamanessit, now Grafton. 

Lady Armyne, though so devoted in her charities to the 
heathen in the "far off Nipmuck country," was not unmind- 
ful of doing good at her own home in Lincolnshire, England. 
" No one followed more closely in the footsteps of her Divine 
Master, for like Him she went about doing good, for she took 
the height of her religion to consist in the height of love to 
God and man, and in close obedience to Christ and reliance on 
His Mediation." 

In 1662, when so many clergymen in England were ejected 
from their livings. Lady Armyne, though devotedly attached 
to the Church of England, came to Dr. Edmund Calamy of 
London, and brought five hundred pounds to be given to those 
dissenting clergymen and their families. 



2 The Records of Oxford. 

Dnring lier last illness, hearing of the Rev. Richard Baxter's 
troubles as a dissenter from the Church of England, though 
the Lord Chancellor had proffered to him a Bishopric, Ladj 
Mary sent her servant to him to hear of his case, before whose 
return to her, she had died.* 

The quaint historian narrates of the life and time of Lady 
Armyne : 

" This Honorable and Excellent Lady, was a branch of one 
of the most Antient, Noble, and Illustrious Families in Eng- 
land, whether we look to Descent, Degree, or Actings. 

" The Family of the Talbots, for a long Tract of time. Earls 
of Shrewsbury, whose Heroick performances both in Civil and 
Millitary Affairs, done by them in their Native Country, are 
upon Record to the perpetuating of tlieir Names and Renown. 
But especially their Conquests and Tryumphs in France were so 
signal, that the Memory of them continues until this day, and 

*The life of Lady Armyne is found in an ancient book, with the 
title, " The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons in this Later Age, Divines, 
Nobility and Gentry of botii Sexes, by Samuel Clark, London (Printed 
for Thomas Simmons at the Princes Arms, Ludgate Street) 1682-3." 

The introductory to the above volume closes with these words: 

"It's a great work to learn to die safely and comfortably; even the 
work of all our lives ; my turn is near, and this preparation is my daily 
Study; But it's the Communication of life, light and love, from Heaven, 
that must make all effectual and draw uj} our Hearts and make us ready. 
For which I daily wait on Grod. At the brink of the Grave and the 
door of Eternity. Jan. 16, 1682-3. "Richard Baxter." 

Rev. Richard Baxter writes : 

" I have not read over this Book being desired suddenly to write this 
Preface, and, therefore, undertake not the Justification of what I have 
not read. But I know so many of the Persons and Histories myself as 
makes me not doubt the Historical truth, Judge Hales and the Coun- 
tess of Warwick (my great Friends) need no testimony of mine. I 
have desired the Book-seller to reprint the life of the Countess of Suffolk 
the daughter to the Earl of Holland, written by Bishop Rainbow, as an 
excellent pattern to Ladies. '' 



Nipinuck History. 3 

withal so dreadful, that Mothers quieted their crying Children 
by telling them that Talbot came." * 



* Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury with Henry V, left Euglaad and landed 
in France with an army of 6,000 men-at-arms and 34,000 foot, chiefly 
archers. After a furious battle the English took possession of Harfleur, 
August 14, 1415. Henry expelled the French inhabitants in order to 
people it with English. 

Henry soon after finished his campaign by the victory of Agiucourt 
Oct. 25, 1415, which the English said, "shed everlasting glory on his 
head." No battle was ever fought more fatal to France; the killed are 
said to have amounted to 10,000 and 14,000 prisoners. 

Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, was in command at both of these battles, 
being styled "the greatest captain of his age." 

The Earl of Shrewsbury was a great favorite at the court of Henry 
VI. He presented Queen Marguerite of Anjou, the last of the proven- 
(jal queens, a volume of sketches executed by himself. On the title 
page Henry VI and Marguerite are represented as seated upon a low 
divan, ladies in attendence are pictured in the background. Talbot 
kneels before the Queen presenting his volume. Henry and Marguerite 
are again represented in an allegorical picture. Marguerite and the 
ladies of her court as the Virtues. Marguerite as Faith and King 
Henry as Honor. As an embellishment daisies are painted in clusters, 
for every lady had her emblem flower, the fashion of the time, and 
the queen's cipher is surrounded by the garter and its motto. 

On the King's marriage all the knights and nobles wore Marguerite's 
emblem flower, the daisy, in their caps, when they came on horse-back in 
a body to receive her as her escort into London. This must have 
been a very flattering compliment, and the King carried it still farther 
by having "Marguerites " engraved on his silver. In the reign of Henry 
VI, during the "Wars of the Roses," Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, who 
was most loyal to the house of Lancaster, was killed in battle and was 
mourned by all classes of people. 



4 The Records of Oxford. 

AN EPITAPH 
' ' Upon the much-lamented Death op the Trxily Honourable, very 

AGED, AND SINGULARLY PIOUS LaDY, 

The Lady Mary Arminb, 
Who Dyed Anno Christi 1675." 
' ' Hail Mary full of Grace, 'bove women blest ; 
A Name more rich in Saints than all the rest; 
An Army of them fam'd in sacred Story: 
All good, none bad, an unparallel'd Glory! 
The blessed Virgin well may lead the Van ; 
Next follows Mary the Bethanian; 
Next Mary, Wife of Cleophas ; Another 
Mary was of James and Joses Mother 
How much is spoke of Mary Magdalen ? 
Of Mary, John Mark's Mother, we read agen. 
At Rome a Mary commended by St. Paul ; 
All Saints; yet not to pray unto at all.'' 

" A Mary was the Mother of our Lord. 
A Mary 'twas laid up in heart his word. 
A Mary 'twas that chose the better part. 
A Mary 'twas that wept with broken heart. 
A Mary 'twas that did anoint Christ's feet; 
A Mary pour'd on's Head the Spicknard sweet. 
At Christ's Cross standing Maries three I find. 
When others fled, they were not so unkind. 
Christ dead, interr'd, at the Sepulchre door 
Two Maries stand, I find no Women more." 

" So that from Cradle to the Passion; 
From Passion to the Resurrection; 
From Resurrection to the Ascention, 
Observe you may a Mary still was one. 
The Army of such Ladies so Divine, 
This Lady said, I'le follow they all Ar-mine," 

" Lady Elect! in whom there did combine 
So many Maries, might'st say all Ar-mine. 
Thou Mother Sister, Spouse wa'st of the Lord, 
In that in Heart and Life thou kept'st liis Word, 



Nipnmck History. 5 

With th' other Mary chose the better part; 
With Mary Magd'len had'st a most tender heart." 

" On Christ a Mary spent all that she could; 
The' others grudg'd, more if she had she would, 
To th' Head above could'st not, on the feet below 
Thou did'st not spare much cost for to bestow. 
Thy name a precious Ointment, and the Armies 
Of Saints, and Angels are the Lady Armines." 

' ' Now God and Christ are thine, and what's Divine 
In Heaven's enjoyment, Blest Soul ! Now All are thine." 

Jo. Sheffield. 

A Sketch of the Nipmuck Country. 

Governor Wintlirop writes of a "journey " made by himself, 
and in company with others, to a place now supposed to be 
Sudbnry, Mass. 

January 27, 1632 (old style), Winthrop in his journal writes : 
" The Governor and some company with him went up by 
Charles River about eight miles above Watertown (after 
naming certain hills and streams presented to their view). 

" On the west side of Mount Feake, they went up a very higli 
rock, from whence they might see all over Neipnett and a very 
high hill due west about forty miles off." — Winthrop's Journal, 
Vol. 1, 68.* 

It is stated in the year 1631 " a Sagamore from the river 
Qonchtacat which lies west of the Naragancet, had visited 
Boston and had offered the Governor inducements in a prom- 
ised tribute of corn and beaver skins to send some Englishmen 
to settle his country. As the Dutch had already made a set- 
tlement on the Quinnehtuck river known as the lands of the 
' Dutch House of Good Hope ' " (now Hartford, Ct.). 



* This, it would appear, was the first view of Wachusett mountain by 
the English, it being the first mention of the Nipmuck country by the 
colonists. 



6 The Rcco7'ds of Oxford. 

It also appears " there was an Indian trail of the Aga warns, 
Woronoaks, and other small tribes on the Quouehticut (the 
long tidal river) who were on friendly terms with the power- 
ful Nipmogg or Nipmuck Indians and came into their country 
either to pay tribute or to pass through their wide domains." 

The Neipnet, Neepmug or ISipmuck Indians, inhabited the 
country between the sea-coast and the towns about the Massa- 
chusetts bay eastward, and the Connecticut river westward. 
It is said the name Neipnet or Nipmuck in the Indian lan- 
guage signifies " fresh water," which caused the Indians of 
this interior portion of the country to be thus distinguished 
from those upon the sea-coast. The Nipmuck country extended 
beyond the limits of Worcester county; as delineated on some 
ancient maps it was shown as extending westward beyond the 
Connecticut river, and on the north into New Hampshire. 
There is no doubt that the territory of this tribe of Indians 
was originally very extensive, stretching over the entire country 
between the Merrimac and Connecticut rivers.* 

According to Rev. John Eliot " Nipmuck or Neipnet was a 
great country lying between the Conactocot and the Massachu- 
setts." 

From Major Gookin's account "The Neipnet region 
extended from Marlborough to the south end of Worcester 
county, and around by the Brookfields through Washakins 
(Nashua) to the northern boundary of the state." 

Col. Church states " the Nipmuck country was the country 
about Dudley and Oxford." 

" These Nipmuck Indians were seated upon less rivers and 
lakes, or large ponds where Oxford now is and towns near 
it." — Governor Hutchinson. 



* The Nipmuck country included all of what is now Worcester county. 

In an ancient edition of Hubbard's " Narrative of the Indian Wars," 
published in 1677, is prefixed a map of New England, being as the title 
expresses " The first map here cut." 



Nipmuck History. 7 

In 1647 there is the following record of the Nipmuck 

Indians : 

"The Nopraat (Nipnet or Nipmuck) Indians, having noe 

Sachem of their own, are at liberty, part of them, by their 

own choice, doe appertaine to the Narragansett Sachem and 

])arte to the Mohegens."* 

" The Nipmuck Indians included several tribes. The Na- 

ticks, Nashaways, Pegans, Pawtuckets, Quaboags, Wamesits, 
Hassauamesits and Pennakooks. 

" The Hassanamesits were in Grafton, a part of the territory 
of Sutton. The Naticks were located at Natick ; the Nasha- 
ways were on the Nashua river, from its mouth ; the Pegans 
were in Dudley (now Webster), on a reservation of two hundred 
acres of land;" the Pawtuckets were on the Merriraac river 
where Chelmsford now is; the Quaboags were located in Brook- 
held ; the Wamesits were for a time on the Merrimac river, at 
Lowell ; the Pennakooks were on the Merrimac river near 
Concord." — Drake's Indian History. 

* Records of the U. Col. Hazard, 11, 93. 

In 1668 Roger Williams says, " that all the Neipmucks were unques- 
tionably subject to Narrhigonset Sachems, and in a special manner, to 
Mejksah, the son of Canonicus, and late husband, to the old Squaw 
Sachem, now only surviving." Hubbard states the Nipmucks were tribu- 
tary to Massasoit and to Philip, Sachem of Mount Hope. 

* ' This Squaw Sachem, as is believed, was chief of those inland Indians 
since denominated the Nipnets, or Nipmucks, and lived in 1621 near 
Wachusett Mountain." — Drake's North American Indians. 

Tlie Indians in exchange for their land with the English demanded 
certain articles in return. The following deed was given to Capt. Miles 
Standish for the ancient town of Bridgewater, a part of Duxbury. An 
extract of the considerations, viz. : " Ousamequin, Sachem of the Contrie 
of Pocanauket." Ousamequin, which name Massasoit adopted during 
the latter part of his life, gave a deed of land to the English, usually 
called Saughtuckett. It was dated 1649. 

The consideration for which the Sachem granted the deed was as 
follows : 



8 The Records of Oxford. 

A Treaty with the Nipmucks. 

In 1643 Governor Winthrop relates that "At this court 
Cutshamekin and Squaw Sachem, Mascononoco, Nasha- 
cowam and Wassamagon, two Sachems, near the great hill of the 
west, called (Warehasset, Wachusett,) came into the court and 
according to their former tender to the governor desired to be 
received under our protection and government, &c upon the 
same term that Pumham and Sacononoco were ; so we causing 
them to understand the articles, and all the ten commandments 
of God, and they freely assenting to all, they Avere solemnly 
received, and then presented by the Court with 20 fathoms 
more of "Wampum and the Court gave each of them a coat of 
two yards of cloth and their dinner; and to them and their men 
every one of them a cup of sack at their departure, so tliey 
took their leave and went away very joyful." — Governor Win- 
throp's Journal, 2, 156. 

In 1643 Massasoit resided with Nashoonon, chief of the 
Nipmucks. 

In Winthrop's Journal Nashoonon is Nashacowam. 

A more extended account of this early treaty is to be found 
in the records of the Massachusetts Bay. 

" Wossamegon, Nashowanon, Cutshamache, Mascanomet & 
Squa Sachim did voluntarily submit themselves to us, as ap- 
peareth by their covenant subscribed w*'' their own hands, 
hear following & oth'' articles to w'=^ they consented. Wee have 
and by these presents do voluntarily & w*'^ont any constraint 
or psuasions, but of o'' owne free motion, put o'"selves, o"^ sub- 

7 coats, a yd and half in a coat — 9 hatchets, — 8 Howes,— 20 Knives, — 
4 Moose Skins — 10 yds and a half of Cotton, 

" The land conveyed in the deed extending in length and the breadth 
thereof as followeth, that is to say; from ye weare at Sanghtuckett seven 
myles due east, and from said weare seven (miles) due west, and from 
said weare seven myles due north and from said weare seven (miles) 
due south," etc. 



Nipmuck History. g 

jects, lands & estates under the government & jurisdiction of 
the Massachusetts, to be governed & ptected by them, accord- 
ing to their just lawes & orders, so farr as wee shal bee made 
capable of understanding them ; & wee do pmise for o^'selves 
all o'' subjects and all o' posterity, to be true and faithfull to 
the said government & ayding to the maintainance thereof, to 
o'' best ability. & fro"" time to time to give speedy notice of any 
conspiracy, attempt or evill intention of any which wee shall 
(or) heare of against the same: and we pmise to be willing 
fro" time to time to be instructed in the knowledg & worship 
of God, in witness whereof wee have hereunto put o"" hands 
the 8**^ of the first m«. a 1643-1644." 

CUT SHAM A CHE 
NASH OWA NON 
WOS SAM E GON 
MASK A NOM ETT 
SQUA SACHIM 

Certain Questions Ppounded to the Indians & Answers. 

1. To worship ye onely true God, w^^ made heaven & earth 
& not to blaspheme him. 

An : We do desire to rev'ence y^ God of y^ English, & to 
speake well of him, because wee see bee doth better to y* Eng- 
lish than othe" Gods do to others. 

2. " Not so swear falcely, 

An ; They say they know not w* swering is among y^ 

3. Not to do any unnecessary worke on y^ Sabbath day, es- 
pecially w^'^in y^ gates of christian towns. 

An : It is easy to y "^ : they have not much to do on any 
day, & they can well take their ease on y* day. 

4. To bono"' their parents & all their supio's. 

An. It is their custome to do so, for the inferio's to hono"" 
their supio's 

5. To kill no man w^N^ut just cause and just authority 

2 



lO The Records of Oxford. 

An : This is good and they desire to do so. 

6. To comit no unclean lust, .&c 

An : Though sometime some of y™ do it, yet they count that 
nanght, and do not alow it. 

7. Not to steale 

An ; They say to y* as to y^ 6*'' quere 

To suffer their children to learn to reade God's word y* they 
may learn to know God aright & worship in his owne way 

They say as opportunity will serve, and English live among 
y™ they desire so to do. 

That they should not be idle 

To these they consented, acknowledging y"" to bee good 

Being received by us they psented 26 fathoms of wampum, 
& the Court directed the Treasurer to give them five coats, 
two yards in a coate, of red cloth & a potfull of wine. — Mass. 
Col. Records, Yol. II, p. 55. 

Rev. John Eliot, a clergyman of Roxbury, N. E., educated 
at Cambridge, England, became interested in the benevolent 
project of introducing Christianity into the Nipmuck country 
and in educating the natives, Mr. Eliot having acquired the 
rudiments of the Indian dialect, it is said, from native servants 
in his own family.* 

He was accompanied in his " journeys " by his friend Major- 
General Daniel Gookin, an English gentleman, born in the 
county of Kent, who had at first made a settlement in Vir- 
ginia, but came to Cambridge, K E., in 1644. Maj. Gookin 
was the superintendent of all the Indians that had subjected 
themselves to the provincial government, and in Mr. Eliot's 
missionary visits to the Indians, he himself, at the same time, 
administered civil affairs among the natives. 

* Mr. Eliot says that " au Indian taken in the Pequot wars, and who 
lived in Dorchester, was the first native who taught him words and was 
his interpreter." 

" He took the most unwearied pains in his strange lessons from this 



Nipvmck History. 1 1 

In 1646 the General Court of Massachusetts " ordered and de- 
creed that two ministers should be chosen by the elders of the 
churches every year, at the Court of Elections, and so to be 
sent, with the consent of their churches with whomsoever 
would freely offer themselves to accompany them in that ser- 
vice to make known the heavenly counsel of God among the 
Indians in a most familiar manner, by the help of some able 
interpreter, as might be most available to bring them to the 
knowledge of the truth, and their conversion to Jesus Christ, 
and for this eud something might be allowed them by the 
General Court to give away freely to those Indians whom they 
should perceive most willing and ready to be instructed by 
them." — Palfrey's History of New England. 

A week before it had passed this order Rev. John Eliot 
had made his first essay in preaching to the Indians. L young 
man who had been a servant in an English house, and under- 
stood his own language, and had a clear pronunciation, Mr. 
Eliot took into his family ; and having, with his assistance, 
translated the Lord's Prayer and the Decalogue, he soon ac- 
quired a knowledge of the Indian language. 

Ten pounds were voted to Mr. Eliot as a gratuity from the 
Court in respect of his great pains and charge in instructing 
the Indians in the knowledge of God. 

Rev. John Eliot obtained for the Indians a grant of land, to 
wliich he gave the Indian name Noonanetum [Rejoicing]. 

Daniel Gookin, who accompanied Mr. Eliot in his journeys, 
says : " The first place he began to preach at was Nonantum, 
near Watertown, upon the south side of Charles River, 



uncouth teacher, finding progress very slow and baffling, receiving no 
aid from other tongues which he had learned in England, and which 
were so differently constituted, inflected and augmented." 

Mr. Eliot also secured natives to reside with him in his family and to 
accompany him on his visits, to interchange with him words and ideas. 
— Memorial History of Boston, pages 260-261. 



12 T]ie Records of Oxford. 

about four or five miles from Roxburj, where lived at that 
time Waban, one of their principal men, and some Indians 
with him." 

Mr. Eliot set out upon his mission in October, 1646, and sent 
out forerunners to apprise the Indians of his intentions.* 

Waban, a grave and wise man of the same age of the mis- 
sionary (forty- two), a person of influence, met him at a small 
distance from their settlement, and welcomed him to a large 
wigwain on the hill Nonantum, 

A number of Indians assembled here to hear the new doctrine. 

After a short service of prayer in English, Mr. Eliot de- 
livered a sermon from Ezekial 37 : 9, 10 : " Then said He unto 
me. Prophesy unto the wind (to which the Indian term " Wa- 
ban " is said to answer), Prophesy son of man, and say to the 
wind (say to Waban) thus saith the Lord God, Come from the 
four winds, O breath, and breathe upon those slain, that they 
may live. So I prophesied, as He commanded me, and the 
breath came into them, and they lived and stood upon their 
feet an exceeding great army." Having closed his sermon, he 
was desirous of knowing whether he had conveyed his senti- 
ments intelligibly in a language so new to himself, he therefore 
inquired whether they comprehended his meaning, to which 
they replied : " We understood all." 

Waban particularly received those happy impressions, which 
remained through life, and qualified him effectually to aid in 
the design of (Christianizing) his countrymen. 

" Having given the children some apples, and the men some 
tobacco, and what else they then had at hand, . . . they 
departed with welcomes." 

*For speedily transmitting intelligence "the Indian niessengers ran 
swiftly, and at every settlement fresh messengers are speeded away to 
reach the chiefs wigwam. When witliin about a mile of the place the 
messenger commences hallooing, and all who hear begin to halloo, 
whereby a great concourse is soon gathered to hear the news." 



Nipmuck History. 13 

Before the end of the year three other visits were made. 
"As soon as ever the winter was passed," Mr. EHot's labors 
were resumed. 

John Wampus, a native, brought his son and several Indian 
children to the English to be instructed. 

A school was soon established among them, and the General 
Court having given the neighboring Indians a tract of highland, 
called Nonantum, and furnished them with various implements 
of husbandry. The Indians many of them professed Chris- 
tianity, and the whole in the vicinity became settled, and the 
Indians conducted their affairs with prudence and industry, and 
they adopted the customs of the English, made laws, and had 
their magistrate,* 

Mr. Eliot's efforts were put forth for the civilization as well 
as the Christian ization of the people. He encouraged the 
building of farm-houses, and the making of homes for separate 
families, the planting of gardens and orchards, the raising and 
utilizing of flax and hemp.— Palfrey, II, 336, 337. 

Mr. Eliot in writing to the corporation of London, in 1649, 
says " that a Nipnet Sachem hath submitted himself to the 
Lord, and much desires one of our chief ones to live with him 
and those that are with him." 



*John Wampus was a Sagamore of the Hassanamesit tribe. He is men- 
tioned as being some time of Hassanamesit. 

"In January, 1666, Robert Wayard, of Hartford, Ct., conveyed by 
deed, a tract of land situate in Boston, to John Wampus, an Indian of 
Boston, bounded on the common, etc., being 300 feet by 30, with a 
dwelling house thereon. This tract is now partly covered by St. Paul's 
church. 

' ' The records of Suffolk county give further evidence of his concern 
in the sale and purchase of real estate. 

"Tradition states John Wampus crossed the Atlantic and was in 
London, that he returned to New England in the same ship with a Dr. 
Sutton, that his health failed on his return, and that he received partic- 
ular attention from him on this voyage." 



14 TJie Records of Oxford. 

Mr. Eliot writes agaia to the same society in the year 1651 : 

"There is a great country called Nipnet, where there be 
many Indians dispersed, many of whom have sent to our In- 
dians desiring that some may be sent unto them to teach them 
to pray to God." 

It would appear that in England there was a lively sentiment 
in favor of Christianizing the heathen Nipmuck " in these 
ends of the earth," as well as other natives in the new world, 
and that the occupancy of New England by the English ad- 
venturers should result not only in the accumulation of gold, 
but that Christianity should be promulgated '' in this hideous 
and howling wilderness," and throughout their possessions in 
America. 

In writing of New England, Captain Weymouth, an histor- 
ian of the time, asserts, that " the result hoped for in planting 
settlements on these shores was to Christianize these dark 
regions of America," which were designated by the English as 
the West Indies.* 



CHAPTEE 11. 



Records from the Royal IIistokical Society, London. 

The Christian education of the Nipmuck Indians through the 
correspondence of Rev. John Eliot, and the pubUcation in 
London of a series of the " Eliot Tracts." 



*"The first royal charter for establishing the colony of New Eng- 
land had declared that to win and incite the natives of that country 
to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of 
mankind and the Christian faith is our royal intention and the adven- 
turers' free profession, is the principal end of the plantation." 



Records from the Royal Historical Society, London. 1 5 

In July, 1649, such was the effect of the report from New 
England on Cromwell, Calaray and others, as well as on the 
Long Parliament, that an act or ordmance was found with 
this title : 

" A Corporation for the promoting and propagating the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ in New England," 

Thus the New England Company was established by the 
Long Parliament. 

"All honor then to Cromwell and the Commons of England 
in Parliament assembled as the founders of the first Protestant 
mission to Pagans.'' 

This society continued until the "Kestoration of the Mon- 
archy," 1660. 

A general collection or subscription was to be made through 
all counties, cities, towns and parishes of England and Wales, 
for the purposes of the corporation. 

Nearly $12,000 were forthwith collected by voluntary sub- 
scription throughout England and Wales, and several manors, 
lands and houses were purchased. An amount of at least 
£11,430 was expended in the purchase of landed property at 
Eriswell, in Suffolk, and a farm at Plumstead, in Kent, as well 
as several houses in London. 

All these purchases were conveyed to this parliamentary 
corporation, or to some of the sixteen members as its trustees. 

The corporation appointed commissioners and a treasurer 
in New England, who received the income transmitted to them 
by the corporation of England for the maintenance of mission- 
aries and school teachers among the natives till the restoration 
of Charles II. 

It is said Mr. Eliot's first effort to form an Indian town at 
Nonantum in Newtown proved a failure in his instruction to 
the natives on account of its being so near Boston and other 
English settlements. The surroundings of a so-called Christian 
community were unfavorable to influencing the natives from 



1 6 The Records of Oxford. 

heathenism to Christianity, and he desired a position more re- 
mote, and petitioned for a grant at Natick, and in 1651 the 
General Court set apart two thousand acres of land for an 
Indian plantation. 

In 1651 Rev. John Eliot removed to Natick. In 1660 a 
native church was formed in tliis settlement, and though Mr. 
Eliot was a clergyman, having the care of a church in Roxbury 
for twenty-five years, he preached and taught the natives, 
establisliing schools and native churches with Christian teachers.* 

" These commissioners received from the Loudon Society 
authority to establish a school for the natives at Cambridge. 
Yonug men among the Indians were received as pnpils to be 
educated for teachers. The society distributed bounties to en- 
courage education; they printed catechisms in the native lan- 
ffuaffe and furnished books for teachers." — Palfrev, I, 333. 

" In 1658 Eliot's native teachers received two pounds each 
for their services, while Eliot received two pounds for Bibles, 
spectacles, and primers for the natives." — Palfrey, I, 333. 

" The expenses of the London Society in this, the eighth 
year of its establisiiment, was five hundred and twenty pounds 
in salaries to teachers and the expenses of pupils in the Cam- 
bridge schools." — Palfrey, I, 333. 

Recokdb Received from the Royal Historical Society, 

London. 

" (May 29, 1660.) Then this Corporation, created by the 
Long Parliament, ceased. 

"There was, therefore, a short cessation of the income, for 
the Royalist vendor of the property at Eriswell in Suffolk, re- 

*Traditiou states there is still to be seen at Natick the oak tree under 
which Mr. Eliot instructed the natives. 

The Nipmuck Indians had a constant and friendly intercourse with 
the Natick Indians, and became interested with them in the preacher of 
the "new Faith." 



Records from the Royal Historical Society, London. 1 7 

entered and obtained from the tenants a good deal of the rents 
until the Company was revived or created anew by the Order 
in Council, when he was obhged by the decree in a Chancery 
suit to fulfil the contract he had entered into with the former 
Corporation. 

" The Ordinance could no longer be recognized, but by the 
exertions of ' the excellent Kobert Boyle, so notable for his 
beneficence,' and others, an Order of Charles II, in Council 
was obtained April, 16G1, for a new Charter of Incorporation 
vesting in the Company then created (and now subsisting) the 
property which had been given or bought for the purposes of 
the late reported Corporation." 

"Order in Council, for the New England Company's 

Charter. 

At the Court at Wliitehall the 10th day of April 1661. 
Present : 
The King's Most Excellent Majesty. 
His Royal Highness the Duke Earl of Sandwich. 

of York. Earl of Lauderdale. 

Lord Chancellor. Lord Viscount Valentia. 

Duke of Albemarle. Lord Roberts. 

Marquis of Dorchester. Lord Seamore. 

Lord Great Chamberlain. Mr. Comptroller. 

Lord Chamberlain. Mr. Vice Chamberlain. 

Earl of Northumberland. Mr. Secretary Nicholas. 

Earl of Berks. Mr. Secretary Morris. 

Earl of Norwich. 

Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper. 

" Upon reading of Mr. Attorney General his report to this 

Board upon a Petition of divers for propagating the Gospel in 

America to him referred by Order of the Uth of November 

1660, and a draft prepared for renewing the Charter of the 

3 



1 8 The Records of Oxford. 

Corporation therein specified and full debate tliereof had ; It 
is ordered that the said Corporation may by the said Charter 
have power to purchase £2000 per annum and may have 
liberty to transport yearly £1000 in Bullion or foreign money 
making entry from time to time of what shall be so transported 
in the Port of London in the Custom House there. And the 
Lord Viscount Valentia is to consider of and examine the list 
of names of the members whereof the said Corporation is to 
consist and to offer the same to the Board and according to 
this direction Mr. Attorney is to fill up the blanks and perfect 
the said draft of a Charter. And also to add thereunto a 
clause that all lands tenements and hereditaments heretofore 
given or bought to the use or uses in this Charter mentioned 
shall from henceforth be vested in the said Corporation and 
their successors with power to sue for and recover the same 
and any arrears thereof due. 

" John Nicholas." 

The charter was completed February 7, 1661-2. 

"The members of the Company were forty-five in number, 
and included Churchmen and Dissenters. 

" Lord Chancellor Clarendon and other noblemen head the 
list, and Boyle, the first Governor, with several surviving mem- 
bers of the late reputed Corporation, and many Alderuien and 
Citizens of London, are included in it. The yearly revenue of 
the Company's lands, money, and stock was to be applied for 
the promoting and propagating the Gospel of Christ unto and 
amongst the heathen natives in or near New England and parts 
adjacent in America, and also for civilizing, teaching, and in- 
structing the said heathen natives in or near New England, and 
their children, not only in the principles and knowledge of the 
true religion, and in morality and the knowledge of the English 
tongue, and in other liberal arts and sciences, but for the edu- 
cating and placing of them or their children in some trade, 
mystery, or lawful calling," 



Records from the Royal Historical Society, London. 19 

Records of the Royal Historical Society of London Pre- 
sented FOR THE " Records of Oxford." 

Extracts from a letter dated Lincoln's Inn, London, Novem- 
ber, 1878. From Henry W. Busk, Esq., a member of the 
New England Company, to Rev. Brooke Herford of Chicago, 
U.S. A.: 

"The labours of the Company and the Commissioners* and 
others in America were carried on unremittingly till the Amer- 
ican War of Independence interrupted the usual remittances. 
When the 13 provinces were acknowledged as independent 
States, the Company could not safely exercise its charter trusts 
out of the King's dominions, and at first transferred these 
operations to New Brunswick, and appointed Commissioners 
there so far as concerned the income of the Charter Fund. But 
the efforts there were not successful, and a new plan, recom- 
mended by one of the New Brunswick Commissioners, was, 
after consulting the Governor of the Province and other in- 



*" Increase and Cotton Mather were among the Commissioners, and 
were frequent correspondents of the Company after 1671." — London 
Records. 

From the funds of this corporation an allowance of £50 per annum 
was paid to Mr. Eliot as a stipend in supplement of his moderate salary 
of £60 as a minister of Roxbury. Fifty pounds was also allowed to 
Governor Mayhew for his interest in the education and Christianizing 
the Indians of Martha's Vineyard. Governor Mayhew was a co-worker 
with Eliot. 

The income of the English Society amounted to the then large sum of 
about seven hundred pounds. 

September 5, 1661. 

Mr. Eliot published the New Testament and other books for the in- 
struction of the natives. In 1663 the Old Testament was printed at 
Cambridge, Mass., in the Natick or Nipmuck dialect and was the first 
Bible printed in America. 

In 1890 a single copy of the Eliot Bible of the edition of 1663 was 
Bold in London for £250. 



20 . The Records of Oxford. 

habitants, adopted in 1807, and acted on till 1822, when this 
plan also was found to have failed. The Company then trans- 
ferred its operations to other parts of British America, prin- 
cipally near the Grand River north of Lake Erie, and near 
Lake Ontario, at the Bay of Qninte, and near the Rice and 
Chenioiig Lakes. 

"During the suspension of remittances to America the Com- 
panj^ accumulated and invested the income of all the three 
funds. By decrees of the Court of Chancery in 1792, 1S08, 
and 1836, all the three funds have l)een regulated. Boyle's 
rent-charge is applicable by the Company for the advancement 
of the Christian religion among infidels in British America; so 
also the income of the accumulations of that fund. The income 
of Dr. Williams' fund and accumulations is applicable by the 
Company towards the advancement of the Christian religion 
am^ng Indians, Blacks and Pagans in British Plantations and 
Colonies, and for their education, etc. The income of the 
Charter Fund and of its accumulations is applicable in Upper 
Canada." 

Sketch of New England Company by Henry W. Busk. 

" Those stations which have been most permanently men- 
tioned are the following : 

" 1. Among the Mohawks and other Six Nations Indians 
settled on the banks of the Grand River, between Brantford 
and Lake Erie. 

" 2. On the shores of the smaller Lakes, Rice Lake twelve 
miles south of Peterborough and (Mud or) Chemong Lake ten 
miles north of Peterborough. 

'3. On the banks of the Garden River, near Sault Ste. 
Marie (the rapids between Lake Superior and Lake Huron). 

"4. On Ruper Island, in British Columbia. 

" The Indians of the Six Nations include the Mohawks, 
Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and Tuscaroras. Up 



Records from the Royal Historical Society, London. 2 1 

to the time of the American War of Independence the first 
five named inhabited the valleys on the rivers and lakes of 
Central New York. 

" There are two schools near the Mohawk village close to 
Brantford, as well as a parsonage for the church there. This 
church possesses the communion plate and a large English 
Bible, presented by ' Good Queen Anne ' to the Indian church 
in the Mohawk valley, which the Indians had been obliged to 
abandon. Tiie old Mission Church was built by the Mohawks 
about 1782, about one mile south-east of the city of Brantford 
on the north-east of Grand River. In this church they placed 
the bell they received from London. 

Tiie Rev. John Eliot, in his last illness, observed : 'There 
is a cloud, a dark cloud, upon the Work of the Gospel among 
the poor Indians. The Lord revive and prosper that Work 
and grant that it may live when I am dead.' 

" We have throughout tried to do our very best for our red 
brethren. What success we have had in doing so you might 
best learn by a visit to our Mohawk Institution close to Brant- 
ford, where the superintendent will be glad to show you what 
is being done for the education, etc., of some ninety or more 
of the native boys and girls. In the Mohawk Parsonage is 
our aged missionary Canon Nelles,* and not many miles off 
are several thousand Indians, with nine day-schools on the Tus- 
carora Reserve, and the Rev. Isaac Ban- at the Kanyenga Fai-- 
sonage, and a native curate, the Rev. Albert Anthony, and 
several interpreters and school-teachers, as well as Methodist 
and Baptist ministers on this Reserve, and at Chemong Lake 
and at the Bay of Quinte. The members of the Company 
have always been a mixture of Churchmen and Dissenters 
working harmoniously together. 

" In many parts of America the natives seem to be dying 
out. We have the satisfaction of feeling that with us they 



* Now Arclideacon Nelles. 



22 The Records of Oxford. 

are increasing and improving in spite of the bad example and 
influence of unprincipled Whites. 

" Mr. Robert Ashton, our present superintendent of the Mo- 
hawk Institution, has filled that post for six years, and is always 
much pleased with the visits of enlightened friends of the Red 
men. When you call there you will perhaps be a little sur- 
prised at the civilization and attainments, physical, intellectual, 
moral, and religious, of the eighty or ninety young people there 
training. At a few miles distance you will find the Six JSTations 
Reserve, some ten miles long by six broad, with 3,000 Red 
men (five-sixths of them professing Christianity), aided by a 
considerable staff of native as well as white clei-gy and other 
officers, in making progress and gradually overcoming obstacles 
and resisting temptations and bad examples." 

In 1874 Lord Duffeiin accompanied by Lady Dutferin visited 
the Mohawk Church as Governor-General of Canada, and re- 
ceived addresses from the Indians, and added his signature in 
the Bible that already bore those of R. R. H., the Prince of 
Wales, and R. R. H., the Duke of Connaught. 

Hon. Robert Boyle, of Stalbridge Manor, was the fast friend 
of the distinguished Rev. John Eliot, and identified with him 
for many years in his efforts to educate and Christianize the 
Nipmuck Indians— "the poor souls of the West Indies," as 
then styled. Mr. Eliot recognized Hon. Robert Boyle, tlie 
governor of the corporation for propagating the gospel in New 
England, as the source of the life and efficiency of the society. 

Rev. Mr. Eliot, in his correspondence with Hon. Robert 
Boyle relative to the Nipmuck country and the native Indians, 
very quaintly addresses him as " Right honorable, deep learned, 
charitable, indefatigable and nursing father " of the natives of 
the Nipmuck country. 

Robert Boyle was celebrated for his unrivaled learning, and 
for his great excellencies of Christian character. 



Records from the Royal Historical Society, London. it, 

Note. — Rev. Mr. Mayhew forwarded the following sketch to the 
London Society, etc. : 

" Laban Panu, who died at Gayhead, November 6th, 1715, when he 
was ten Years and about nine Months old, was the son of a Christian 
Indian teacher. 

"He was till he was near nine Years old rude and disorderly, was apt 
to profane the Sabbath Day, and could scarcely be restrained from play- 
ing at Meeting: nor did the many good Instructions and Exhortations 
given him by his Parents appear to have any good Effect upon him. 

' ' His Parents, grieved with his Miscarriage, at length began to deal 
more sharply with him, taking therein that Advice of the wise Man, 
Correct thy Son, and he shall give thee rest ; and as they found the 
Counsel good, so they found the Promise true; for due Corrections thus 
added to good Instructions, did, by God's Blessing, soon produce a re- 
markable Change in the Carriage and Behaviour of their Child." 

" He about this time told his Mother, that formerly he had not believed 
there was a God, but now he was persuaded that there was one, who had 
placed him here in the World." 

" And for what End, said his Mother, do you think God has placed you 
here as he has done? That I might seek and serve him, said the Child; 
and as God has placed us here upon Earth, so he will shortly remove us 
again from it. His Mother then proposing the Doctrine of the final 
Judgment to him, he readily asserted his firm Persuasion of the Truth 
and Certainty of that Doctrine ; and he then carried himself as one, that 
must be brought into Judgment for all he said and did, or ouglit to do. 
He applied himself with Diligence to the reading of his Books, which 
he had before too much neglected ; and he now also studied his Cate- 
chism, and Avould often of his own accord repeat by Heart the Questions 
and Answers, which he had before learned ; and he and some of the other 
Children of the Family, and some also of another Christian Family that 
lived near by, used by turns to catechise one another; by which Means 
the Knowledge of this Child, as well as some of the rest, was considera- 
bly increased. " 

•' His Mother sometimes hearing of him at these Exercises, would ask 
him, whether he really believed the Truth of the Answers in his Cate- 
chism which he repeated ; making this Demand more especially when he 
came to Answers of the greatest Importance ; and he would still, in An- 
swer to her, declare his firm Belief of the Truths which he so learned. 
"His Mother observing that he was alone, saying something which 



24 The Records of Oxford. 

she could not so hear as to understand, she once asked him what, and to 
whom he used to speak in his Retirement? 

" To which he answered, that he used to speak to God, and pray to 
him, to pardon all his Sins, and to make him good. His Father also 
sometimes found him alone in the Forest, calling on the name of the 
Lord ; and sometimes heard him in the Depths of the Night, when he 
was upon his Bed, praying to God for his Mercy and Salvation. 

" He talked often of his own frailty and Mortality. 

" He was sick but about a Month before he died ; in which time he 
behaved himself as became a Youth that remembered his Creator. 

" Soon after he was taken ill, his Mother asking iiim, whether he were 
willing to die and leave this World, and all his Enjoyments in it, he 
after a little Pause said, that he found in himself an Unwillingness at 
present so to do. But why so said his Mother to him, this is a very 
troublesome World, here are many Afflictions to be undergone; whereas 
Heaven is a most excellent Place, wherein there is no Trouble or Sorrow 
to be indured." 

"I am concerned, said the child weeping, for my Little Brother, (one 
younger than himself). I now keep with him and look after him; but 
if I die, I can take no more care of him. 

" Don't, said his Mother, let that trouble you; if you die before your 
Brother, it will not be long before he will follow after you; and if you 
go to lieaveu, he will, if he loves and serves God, come thither to you, 
and there live with you forever ; the which that he may do, I will en- 
deavour to teach him to know and serve the Lord. 

" Do you therefore seek to God to prepare you for your End; and be 
willing to die, and go to your God, when he sees meet to call you." 

"Yes said Laban smiling, I will be so; I will now set my Heart no 
longer upon my Brother, nor be unwilling to leave him ; Come hither 
Joseph, said he to him; who then coming to him, he took him by the 
Hand and said, Farewel my Brother, you shall not offend (or hinder) 
me any longer, be thou diligent in seeking after God ! 

" After this he never discovered the least unwillingness to die, but set 
himself to seek the Lord with his whole Heart, and called daily upon 
him for his Mercy to be extended to him for the sake of Jesus Christ his 
only Saviour." 

"He underwent much Pain in the time of his Sickness, yet he said it 
was God that laid the same upon him, and he did bear with much 
Patience the mighty Hand of God which he was then under, constantly 
trusting in and crying to him only for Deliverence. 



Hassanamisset. 2t; 

" When he perceived that he was nigh to Death, he said but little to 
any that were about him, but kept almost continually praying to God, 
often saying, Oh ! my Heavenly Father, have Mercy on me. 

"When his Friends asked him whether he were willing to die, and 
whether he had Hopes that God would save him, he still answered af- 
firmatively to these Questions. After his Voice so failed him that he 
could not pronounce perfect Sentences, he still kept praying to God and 
saying, Woi— Woi— Woi; which may be rendered in English, I pray— 
I pray— I pray, which were the last Words he ever was heard to speak." 



CHAPTER III. 

Hassanamisset. 



The territory of Hassanamisset (mow Grafton) has an his- 
toric record of great interest. 

It was one of the Indian reservations for the Christianized 
Indians set off by the provincial government upon the petition 
of Rev, John Eliot. 

The grant was made May 15, 1654, viz. : " Liberty is granted 
to the Indians of Hassanamiset, being about 16 miles M-est of 
Sudbury, to make a town there, provided it does not prejudice 
any former grant, nor that they shall dispose of it without 
leave first had and obtained from this court."* (The Indians 
were allowed to build towns of their own wigwams.) 

In 1654 the General Court, on Mr. Eliot's petition, set apart 
this tract of land (Hassanamiset) for the use of the Indians to 
prevent any conflicting claims between the English and the 
natives . 

" No Indian town gave stronger assurances of success 
than Hassanamiset ; at that time it had become the central 

*Archives of Mass., Vol. 30. 
4 



26 The Records of Oxford. 

point of civilizatiou and Christianity to tlie whole Nipmuck 
country." 

A school was here established, where the Bible was read and 
studied in the Indian language. Young men were here edu- 
cated and sent into the neighboring towns to preach the gospel 
(as Christian teacliers). A regular government was created, 
and the forms of law strictly observed. The population of the 
town was small, yet, by reason of their constant intercourse 
with their neighbors, a large number of natives enjoyed the 
benefits of this school, and before the year 1674, within which 
Manchaug, now Oxford, was included, seven new towns of 
praying Indians, as they were termed, were formed in the 
neighborhood, most of which were furnished with teachers 
from this place. A church was here established. 

The following is from an old record : 

" Hassunnimesut it lieth upon Nichmuke River ; The people 
were well known to the English so long as Connecticot Road 
lay that way, and their Religion was judged to be real by all 
that travelled that journey and had occasion to lodge, especially 
to keep a Sabbath among them," 

In 1674 Rev. John Eliot and Maj. Gookin visited all the 
" Christianized Indians " of the Nipmuck country. Gookin, 
in his description, says : 

" Hassamanesit signifieth a place of small stones it lieth about 
thirty eight miles from Boston west southerly, and is about two 
miles eastward of Nipmuck river (Blackstone) and near unto 
the old road waj^ to Connecticut." 

Hubbard describes it as a place up into the woods beyond 
Medfield and Mendon. 

It was called Hassanamisco by the Indians, and went by that 
name until 1735, when it was incorporated and named Grafton. 

James the printer, one of the Indians of Hassan amessit, was 
distinguished for his assistance in printing the Indian Bible, 
being employed in setting up the type. 



Hassanamisset. 27 

In 1709 the English and Indian Psalter was pnbhshed by a 
son of Samuel Green and James the printer, within his Majesty's 
Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England. 

James had been apprenticed to Samuel Green to learn the 
printing trade in Boston. 

Hubbard's account of James the printer: 

" When he was put to an apprenticeship (after leaving the 
' Charity School ' at Cambridge) for sixteen years, He had ob- 
tained some skill in printing, and might have obtained more 
had he not like a false villain ran away from his master before 
his time was out ! " 

" Printer" became the surname of tlie family, and his re- 
puted descendants have lived in Grafton. 

The magistrates were directed to take care to have a court 
held once every quarter at such place or places where the In- 
dians did ordinarily assemble to hear the word of God, with 
permission of the Indian chiefs " to bring any of their own 
people to the said courts, and to keep a court of themselves 
once every month." 

Pennahannit, called Captain Josiah, was " Marshal General " 
over all the Christianized Indian towns, and used to attend the 
courts. 

The following is said to be a copy of a warrant which was 
issued by the ruler Waban for this court : 

"You, you big constable, quick you catch urn Jeremiah 
Offscow, strong you hold um, safe you bring urn, afore me, 
Waban, Justice of the peace." 

" A young justice asked him what he should do when In- 
dians got drunk and quarreled. He replied, ' tie um all up, and 
whip um plaintiff, whip um 'fehdant, and whip um witness.' "* 

''May 14, 1704. 
" The township of Sutton was purchased by the English of 

*Allen Biog. Dictionary. 



28 The Reco7-ds of Oxford. 

John Wampns, and some other Indians of the Nipinuek 
country. 

''Sutton is situate in the Nipmug counti-y between the towns 
of Mendon, Worcester, New Oxford, Sherburne and Marl- 
borough, of eight miles square ; within its limits is included a 
tract of land four miles square called Hassauamisco, an Indian 
reservation. 

" Sutton Yielding, liendering and Paying therefore unto our 
Sovereign Lady Queen Anne, her Kings and Successors, one- 
lifth part of all the Gold and Silver Oar and Precious stones, 
which from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter, 
shall happen to be found, gotten, had, or obtained in any of the 
said lands and Premises, or within any part or parcel thereof. 
In lieu and stead of all Rents, Services, Dues, Dutys, and de- 
mands whatsoever from the said lands and premises, and for 
every part and parcel thereof." 

As the Indians were diminished in Hassauamisco [Grafton] 
the white people became proprietors, in 1728, of the soil, by pur- 
chase, for the consideration of £2,500, and the grant was made 
on condition " that they should provide preaching and sciiool- 
ing and seats in the meetinghouse for the remaining Indians." 

The General Court, from the first, appointed a committee of 
three to superintend and take care of the Indian property, both 
personal and real. In 1765 there were fourteen Indians in 
town ; their numbers gradually diminished ; but it was not until 
about the year 1825 that the last of the Nipmucks ceased to 
exist. They received theii- yearly income in the month of May 
from their funds, at which time they usually had a joyous 
holiday. Blankets, psalters and psalm-books were distributed 
among them as well as money. 

Sept. 17, 1674, Eev. John Eliot, with Major Gookin, visited 
Pakachoag, now in Worcester. Maj. Gookin writes : 

" We took leave of the Christian Indians at Chabanakonff- 
komun, (now Webster), and took our journey, 17th of the sev- 



Rev. John Eliot visits Worcester. 29 

entli month, by Manchage (Oxford) to Pakachoag, a part of 
Worcester, wliicli lieth from Manchage, north-west, about 
twelve miles. We arrived there about noon. We repaired to 
the Sagamore's house, called John , who kindly enter- 
tained us. There is another Sagamore belonging to this place, 
of kindred to the former, whose name is Solomon, alias Woo- 
anakochu. This man was also present, who courteously wel- 
comed us. As soon as the people could be got together, Mr. 
Eliot preached unto them, and they attended reverently. Their 
teacher, named James Speen, being present, read and set the 
tune of a psalm that was sung affectionately. Then the whole 
duty concluded with prayer. 

" After some short respite, a Court was kept among them. 
My cliief assistant was Wattasacompanum, ruler of the Nip- 
muck Indians, a grave and pious man of the chief Sachems 
blood of the Nipmuck country. He resides at Hassanaraisset, 
but by former appointment calleth here, together with some 
others. The principal matter done at this Court was, first, to 
constitute John and Solomon to be rulers of this people and 
co-ordinate in power, clothed with the authority of the English 
government, which they accepted ; also, to allow and approve 
James Speen for their minister. This man is of good parts 
and is pious. He hath preached to this people almost two 
years, but he yet resides at Hassanamisset, about seven miles 
distant. Also, they chose and the Court confirmed a new con- 
stable, a grave and sober Indian called Matoonas. Then I gave 
both the rulers, teacher, constable and people their respective 
charges, to be diligent and faithful for God, zealous against sin, 
and careful in sanctifying the Sabbath. 

" Having sent a grave and pious Indian to be a teacher in 
Nashaway, near Lancaster, with a letter of advice and exhorta- 
tion, written and dated at Pakachoag, and nominated one of 
that tribe, who was present, as constable, with power to appre- 
hend drunkards, take away their strong drink, and bring the 



30 The Records of Oxford. 

offenders before himself for punishment, an office which the 
candidate refused to accept until he could consult his friends, 
the exercises were concluded with singing a psalm and offering 
prayer and they retired to rest. The next morning early, they 
passed to Marlborough and thence returned to their homes. — 
Mass. Hist. Coll. I, 192 ; Hubbard's Narrative, 101. 

Maj. Gookin sent Jethro of Natick, one of the most notice- 
able of the Christianized Indians, though it is said " these 
Indians, in general, made but sorry Christians " to Nashaway 
to preach to the natives of that place, Mr. Eliot having never 
visited them. 

Maj. Gookin gave to Jethro a letter written by himself to 
the Indians, desiring them to keep the Sabbath, and to abstain 
from drunkenness to which they were much prone. 

Jethro was made a constable that he might exercise authority 
and when placed in office had with the power given to him a 
black staff as his insignia of office. 

The chiefs and Sagamores were tributary and subordinate. 
Wattasacompanum was chief rnler, his efforts were to preserve 
friendly relations when the planters first arrived, with the In- 
dians. 

The principal settlement of the Indians in Worcester was on 
the liill rising in the south part of the town and extending into 
Ward, called by them, Pakachoag. It is described by Gookin : * 

" This village lyeth about three miles south from the new road 
way that leadeth from Boston to Connecticut ; it consists of about 
twenty families, and hath about one hundred souls therein. 

" This town is situated upon a fertile hill, and is denominated 
from a delicate spring of water that is there." 

In 1674 the township of Oxford was known as a tract of 
land lying in the Nipmuck country, by its Indian name of 
Manchage, Manchage or Manchaug. 



* On this range of highland is the site of " Holy Cross College." 



Julia Jaha. 31 

The first record of Mancbang, now Oxford, was made by 
Rev. John Eliot and Major-General Gookin, Sept. 17, 1674, 
O. S. on their " journey " to Pakaclioag a part of Quinsigamond 
now Worcester. 

" In 1674 Rev. John EHot and General Gookin visited the 
new Christianized towns in the Nipmnck country. The iirst of 
these, says Gookin is, ' Manchage [Oxford] which lieth to the 
westward of Nipmuck river [Blackstone] about eight miles, 
and is from Hassanamesitt west by south, about ten miles, 
and it is from Boston about fifty miles. To it belongeth about 
twelve families and about sixty souls. For this place we ap- 
pointed "Waberktamin, a hopeful young man, for their minister. 
There is no land yet granted by the general Court to this place, 
nor to any other of the praying towns. But the court in- 
tended shortly upon the application and professed subjection 
of those Indians unto the yoke of Christ, to do for them as 
they have done for other praying Indians.' " * 

The church was formed in Manchage [Oxford] it is said in 
1672. 

Julia Jaha, 

' ' Lo, the poor Indian, whose untutored mind 
Sees God in clouds or hears Him in the wind." 

Pope. 

Julia Jaha was the last of the Nipmuck Indians in Ox- 
ford, her mother was of the Began tribe of Nipmuck In- 
dians living on a reservation in Webster, Mass., and the father 
of Julia was a Mohegan. The parents of Julia, with their 

* Gookin's Historical Collections of the Indians in New England, 
printed in Coll. Mass. Hist. Society in 1792. 

"The tract of land from Marlborough to Manchaug [Oxford,] was 
with few exceptions of a cleared space on which the Indians reared their 
com an unbroken wilderness interspersed with a few meadows or 
marshes as they were styled at that time." 



■i-^ 



The Records of Oxford. 



childien, lived in a soriy little cottage. When Julia was a 
child, one lovely sunny morning in the spring of the year, she 
being seated on a mossy little bank, as she gazed upon the river 
and sky, admiring their beauty, and the woods just appearing 
in their foliage, with the gay songs of the birds which arrested 
her attention, she exclaimed to herself, " God must have made 
all so beautiful," and hastening to her mother with questions 
about God, inquiring if all good people would at death live 
with Him, and to confirm her belief she inquired of her mother, 
" Will priest Williams be there too." Julia had seen Rev. Mr. 
Williams, the clergyman of Dudley,"^ at the Indian funerals, 
and may be she had attended church service and sat in one of 
the high corner pews. Julia was taught to read while young. 
From her childhood she thought much of God, and was in- 
structed in her catechism and received many good counsels 
from her mother, nor were these lessons without good effect.f 
When Julia was some twelve years of age her mother died. 
She was surprised to witness with what willingness her mother 
left her family, without distrust or anxiety, in God's care. She 
was persuaded the Christian faith of her mother gave her this 
happiness in the hour of death. Julia was then removed from 
her home and placed at service in the family of the late Major 
John Brown of Dudley, where she was taught all the nice arts 
of housekeeping. She ever recalled the family with great re- 
spect. The young ladies were so elegant and the sons were all 
her young masters never to grow old, and Julia, after living a 
long and Christian life, in her dei)arture from earth was heard 
by the clergyman who attended her to whisper in broken ac- 
cents, " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.":}: 

*Mr. Williams was the clergymen in Dudley from June 12, 1799, to 
March 16, 1831. 

tJulia Jaha, known by marriage Julia Daille. 

\ On a Memorial Day in memory of the Huguenots "of Oxford, June 
29, 1881, Julia was invited to be present, as the sole remnant of 



Julia J aha. 33 

Julia ever testified that lier tribe were conscious of great in- 
justice done to them in all their transactions with the Eno^lish, 
and then added with much feeling of grief, "They would de- 
stroy the graves of our dead as of no account and make a field 
of grain of our Indian sepulchre." 

On Joshua Pegan's old field the first church in the town of 
Dudley was erected on the summit of a hill. The Pegan tribe 
of Indians gave four acres of land for its site in 1T34, "on 
condition that all of tlieir tribe, who should ever inhabit the 
town, should have the right to convenient seats in the meeting- 
house on days of pu.blic worship." As late as 1790, there 
were about a dozen of this tribe left who owned some two hun- 
dred acres of good land near the center of the town. They were 
cared for by a committee by the order of the General Court.* 

About five miles distant from Manchaug, now Oxford, a 
second town, called Chabanakongkomun, now Webster,f Major 
Gookin narrates : 

" It hath its denomination from a very great pond, that bor- 
ders upon the southward of it. This village is fifty-five miles 
south-west of Boston. There are about nine families and forty- 
five souls. The people are of sober deportment, and better 
instructed in the worship of God than any of the new praying 
towns. Their teacher's name is Joseph, wlio is one of the 
church of Hassanamessit ; a sober, pious and ingenious person, 
and speaks English well, and is well read in the Scriptures. 



the Nipmuck Indians of Oxford. On receiving a gift of money from 
Hon. Zachariah Allen of Providence, R. I., and other gentlemen present, 
she was much gratified with their attentions and the kindness extended 
to her. She exclaimed to a friend, " They have to-day made me a queen 
and crowned me with silver." 

*The Indian seats in the church were two large corner pews in 
the gallery, over the door of the church, the places which in other 
churches were devoted to slaves or the poor. 

fSometimes named Chaubunagungamaug and Chargoggagoggman- 
choggagogg. 

5 



34 The Records of Oxford. 

He was tlie first that settled this town, and got the people to 
him about two years since. It is a new plantation, and is well 
accommodated with uplands and meadows. At this place 
dwells an Indian called Black James, who, about a year since, 
was constituted constable of all the praying towns. He is a 
person that hath approved himself diligent and courageous, 
faithful and zealous to suppress sin ; and so he was contirmed 
in his office another year. In 1674 Mr. Eliot preached unto 
this people, and we prayed and sang psalms with them, and ex- 
horted them to stand fast in the faith, 

" A part of one night we spent in discoursing with them, and 
resolving a variety of questions propounded by them, touching 
matters of religion and civil order. 

" The teacher Joseph and the constable James went with us 
into the next town, whicli is called Maanexit." 

In a letter from Rev. John Eliot to Hon. Robert Boyle, 
of London, dated April 22, 1684, are the following extracts : 

" This last gift of £400 for the impression of the Indian 
Bible doth set a diadem of beauty upon all your former 
acts of pious charity, and commandeth us to return unto 
your honour's all thankful acknowledgments according to our 
abilities." 

Nov., 1683, £460 had also been advanced by the society. 

" The places where the Indians meet to worship God and 
sanctify the Sabbath are many ; the most are stated places, in 
the Massachusetts ; since the wars, are contracted into four — 
Natick, Poukipoy (Stoughton), Wamesut (Lowell) and Chach- 
aubunkkakowok (Webster). 

" The occasional meetings are at places of fishing, hunting, 
gathering chesnuts in their season. 

" In Plymouth Pattent there are about ten places where they 
meet to worship God. 

" An intelligent person of (Marthas) Vineyard reckoned up 
unto me ten places where God is worshiped every Lord's day 



Christianized Tozvns. 35 

in that Island. In Nantucket there be about five places of 
prayer and keeping Sabbaths. 

" The seven old Christianized towns (praying towns) were 
Natick, Pakemitt or Punkapoag (Stoughton), — Ockoocangan- 
sett (Marlborough), — Wamesitt (Lowell), — Hassananaesit 
(Grafton), — Nashobah (Littleton), — Magunkook (Hopkinton). 
These Indian communities extended from Hassanamesit east- 
ward to English settlements on the eastern coast." 

Maj. Gookin, in his journal containing a sketch of a visit 
with Kev. John Eliot to the Nipmuck country in 1674, men- 
tions the new Christianized towns, Manchaug (Oxford), twelve 
families, — Chabanakongkomun (Webster), five miles southerly, 
nine families, — Maanexit on Quinebaug river, four or five miles 
further south, — Quantisset (Thompson Hill), and Wabquasset, 
(Woodstock). 

The territory of the jurisdiction of this tribe is not (defi- 
nitely) defined by early historians. Gookin, high authority, 
includes within the Nipmuck country, as it was called, ten vil- 
lages of Christianized Indians. Hassauamisset (Grafton), Man- 
chang (Oxford), Chabanakongkomun (Webster), Maanexit, 
Quantisset (Thompson Hill), Wabquasset (Woodstock), Quinsi- 
gamond (Worcester and Ward), Waentug (Uxbridge), We- 
shakin (Sterling and Nashua), near unto an English town 
called Lancaster and Quaboag or Quabaug (Brookfield). 



36_ TJic Records of Oxford. 

CHAPTER lY. 

Sketch of John Eliot. 

Mr. Caverly, in his Sketche of the life of the distinguished 
Kev. John Ehot, relates (in the year 1631) when Mr. Eliot and 
his two brothers, Philip and Jacob, had resolved to leave Eng- 
land for a home in the Colonies, they made a visit to the tower 
of London to take leave of their uncle. Sir John Eliot, who was 
there imprisoned, being accused of uttering seditious speeches. 
" Hearing their approaching foot steps Sir John rising up turns 
himself as from a deep sleep, or from an absorbing reverie." 
After an exchange of friendly greetings, he pauses, listening 
to a brief delail of their designs for the future in leaving Eng- 
land for the New World. 

" An extended hand, a half suppressed adieu, and the brothers 
leave. ' The Knight sinks back on his couch, thoughtful, silent, 
at rest.' "* 

Kev. John Eliot of England, sailed in November, 1631, in 

* Sir John Eliot, bora iu 1590, was a member of Parliament from 
Newport, and afterwards representing Cornwall, was a leader iu the 
House in the latter part of the reign of James I, and in the first part 
of Charles I. In May 29, 1628, Sir John was charged with having de- 
clared in the House, that tlie Council and Judges conspired to trample 
under their feet, the liberties^of the subject and the privileges of Parlia- 
ment. 

"He, with others, was summoned before the King's Bench, which 
led to his imprisonment. Sir John died in the Tower Nov. 27, 1633. 
This event was announced throughout the realm as the death of a 
martyr. 

" The ancestor remote of the Rev. John Eliot, was Sir William d'Aliot, 
who came with William the Conqueror in 1066, when he landed in Eng- 
land with a fleet of seven hundred ships. 

"Among the descendants was Augustus Eliot, honored as Lord Heath- 
field, and Sir Gilbert Eliot, Earl of Minto."— Life of Eliot by Caverly. 



Sketch of JoJin Eliot. 37 

" the Lyon," with Governor Winthrop's family and others, 
bound for Boston, in New England. The Governor, himself, 
was already there. Arrived at Boston, Elliot, afterward had 
charge of a chm-ch in Roxbnry. Soon following, Eliot's own 
affianced bride and other English emigrants, left England for 
JSIew England, and made a settlement at Roxbnry. — London 
Records of the New England Company. 

Rev. John Eliot was born in 1604, at Nasing, in Essex, and 
educated at Cambridge. Eliot resigned his charge of the 
church in Roxbnry in 1088, and died at the age of 86 in 1690, 
leaving his Indian work at Natick to be continued by one of 
the native Christian teachers. 

When Mr. Eliot conld no longer from declining years visit 
and instruct the Indians, he persuaded several families in Rox- 
bnry to send their negro servants to him, that he might instruct 
them in the Christian faith. 

A Picture of the Home Life in the New World or Rev. 

John Eliot. 

"In 1650 Mr. Eliot received at his quiet humble cottage 
at Roxbnry, Father Druillettes, a Jesuit Missionary among 
the Indians in Canada, who had been sent by Governor 
d'Aillebout to the Governor of Plymouth and Massachusetts 
Colony to engage the English in commercial relations with a 
view to secure them in an alliance against the Mohawk Indians, 
the enemies of the French. Father Druillettes has left a 
charming letter in French, describing his visit though not 
successful in his mission. Governor Endicot of Salem, treated 
him in a friendly way, and talked French with him. Governor 
Bradford of Plymouth invited him to dinner, and, ' it being on 
Friday entertained him with lish ! ' " 

The Father describes his visit to " Mr. Heliot at Roxbnry, 
who, it being November, invited him to stay and thus defer 
his journey back to Canada through the wintry wilderness ; 



38 The Records of Oxford. 

but the priest could not remain." — Extract from Boston Me- 
morial History. 

One loves to think of Eliot's humble cottage as thus graced. 
His Indian interpreters might have been crouching by the 
cheerful chimney; and one or more Indian youths, whom 
Eliot always had near him, miglit have looked on in wonder as 
the cassocked priest and the Puritan discussed the difficulties 
of the Indian tongue, in which both of them attained great 
skill, and accomplished their ministry as translators and 
preachers. 

Besides a wife and daughter, Mr. Eliot had five sons, all of 
whom he trained for Harvard College; one of those died in his 
course, the other four became preachers. 

Mr. Eliot in his visits to the Natick Indians was not un- 
mindful of even the children, for *' he always supplied himself 
with apples, nuts, sweetmeats, and other little gifts for the 
papooses. 

"His own comfort and needs dropping out of thought in 
his care for others." 

He often carried on his Indian visits heavy and miscellaneous 
burdens. 

The cast-off clothing, and even much that had not come to 
that indignity, of his own parishioners and friends and the 
widest compass of neighbors, was solicited and generally was 
borne on his horse's shoulders or crupper to eke out the civil- 
ized array of his red pupils." 

Mr. Eliot's "Journeys " to the Indian Village of Natick. 

Mr. Eliot's rule was "to visit Natick once a fortnight, visit- 
ing in the alternate week Cutsharaakin, in Dorchester, in all 
weathers, riding on his horse eighteen miles, by a way through 
woods, over hills, and swamps and streams, which his many 
journeys ultimately opened into a road from Boston to 
Natick." 



Sketch of John Eliot. 39 

A Lettek from John Dunton to Rev. Dr. Samuel Annesly, 

IN London. 

" In this Letter I design to give you an account of my Ram- 
ble to Natick. A town of converted Indians, it is (as I am 
informed) about forty years since that the Great and Good Mr. 
Eliot, Pastor of the church in Roxbury (about a mile from 
Boston), set himself to learn the Indian Tongue, so tliat he 
might more easily and successfully open to them the Mystery 
of the Gospel. 'This Reverend Person, not without very 
great Labour and Pains translated the Bible into the Indian 
language (Twelve of which he has presented me withal, charg- 
ing me to let you have one of them) ; he has also Translated 
several Engh'sh Treatises, of Practical Divinity and Catechisms, 
into the Indian Toungue. Twenty-six years ago he gathered 
a church of converted Indians in a Town called JSTatick, beino- 

about twenty miles distant from Boston In this Town of 

Natick being the first formed town of the converted (or as 
they are called, Praying) Indians, there was appointed a Gen- 
eral Lecture to be annually kept, and the Lecture to be preached 
half in the Indian, and half in the English Tongue for the 
Benefit of all that did repair to it :* 

" To this Lecture (being kept in the Summer time) it is very 
usual for severall of the Bostonians (or inhabitants of Boston) 
to go ; and I being acquainted with some that intended to go 
thither, and being (you know Sir) of a Rambling Fancy, and 
still for making New Discoveries, as also I had a great desire 
to be among the Indians, resolved to take that opportuity, and 
go along with them .... 

" The Day of the Natick Lecture being come, and all things 
being ready for our Journey, I mounted on my steed with 
Madam Brick (Breck) (the Flower of Boston) behind me ac- 

*John Dunton's Letters from New Englaod, page 207. lu the Publi- 
cations of the Prince Library. 



40 The Records of Oxford. 

companied with Mr. Green and liis Wife, Mrs. Toy, the Datn- 
sel, Mr. Mallinson, Mr. King, and Mr. Cook and Mrs. Middle- 
ton ; witli thirty or forty Persons more unknown, who went on 
the same Errand as we did, vide licet., to hear the Natick Ser- 
mon preached to the converted Indians, as is the usnall Custom 
every year. 

" Being thus eqnipp'd Sir, and my Companions such as I 
have mentioned .... we set forward for Natick the Indian Town, 
we set forward thi'ough many Woods whose well spread Branches 
made a pleasing shade, and kept us from the Sun's too scorch- 
ing heat ; which made me say to my fair Fellow Traveller be- 
hind me. That we were much beholding to those woods for 
their refreshing Shade which they afforded us ; (of which wx 
were then the more sensible, because we had but lately rid over 
some open Commons). 

" Madame Brick told me, what I said was very true ; But, 
added she, if these poor Woods afford us such a delightful 
shade, O what a blessed shade is Jesus Christ, who screens us 
from the Scorching Beams of Divine Wi'ath ; and whom the 
Scripture represents, with respect to his People, as the Shadow 
of a great Rock in a weary Land ; To signifie that Comfort 
and Refreshing that true Believers find in him ; ' Madam,' 
said I, you have spoke true in what you've said ; and yet Christ 
is represented as a Sun, as well as a Shade ; To this Mrs, Toy 
who rid by us reply'd, He is indeed represented both as a Sun 
and as a Shade, and yet no contradiction ; He is a Sun, shining 
with the Warm Beams of Love and Grace, to cherish and re- 
vive the Drooping Soul, and as a Shade for the Refreshment 
of the Weary and heavy laden, ' You are right,' said Mr. Green, 
who over-heard us ; Christ is set forth in Scripture, under sev- 
eral Denominations to represent to us that fulness that is in 
him, and to shew us that there is nothing we can want, but 'tis 
to be found in him : And such a Saviour (said his Wife) it is 
we stand in need of, that is an All sufficient Good, and ade- 



Sketch of John Eliot. 41 

quate to all our wants. And surely, said I, such a Saviour is 
only Jesus Christ ; He is the great Panpharmacon, who cures 
all our Diseases, and supplies all onr Wants ; 

" If we want Riches, he exhorts us to buy of him gold try'd 
in the Fire ; if we want cloathing, he has the only garment of 
Salvation ; if we are sick, he is the great Physician ; if we are 
wounded, he is the Bahn of Gilead ; if we are hungry, he is 
the Bread of Life ; and if we are thirsty, he can give us Living 
Waters ; And when the Royal Psalmist w^ould sum up all, in 
a few words, he tells us, He is both a Sun and Shield and will 
Grace and Glory, and no good thing will he withhold from 
them that walk uprightly." 

" I had scarce done speaking, when Mr. Cook rides up to me, 
and says, I thought we had been going to Natick to hear a 
Sermon there ; ' Why so we are,' said I, ' Why then,' said he, 
do you forestall the Market, and make a Sermon on the Road % 
I told him 'twas no Sermon, but only a discourse that happen 
to be rais'd among us ... . 

"Mr. Cook so rid on before to Water-Town, whither we 
all came presently after, and when we presently alighted and 
refresh' t our Luggage, and while others were engaged in Frothy 
Discourses, the Widow Brick and I took a view of the 
Town. 

"Having well refresh'd ourselves at Water-Town, we 
mounted again, and from thence we Rambled through severall 
Tall Woods between the Mountains, over many rich and preg- 
nant Valleys, as ever eye beheld, beset on each side with 
variety of goodly Trees. So, had the most Skilful Gardner 
design'd a Shady Walk in a fine Valley, it wou'd have fallen 
short of that which Nature here had done without him ; which 
is a clear Demonstration that Nature Exceeds Art, and that 
Art is but a weak and imperfect Lnitation of Nature ; which 
has far more beauty in her Works, than Art can e'er pretend 
to ; Art may (for instance) delineate the Beauty of a Rose, and 
6 



42 The Records of Oxford. 

make it very lovel}^ to the Eye, but Nature only gives it Life 
and Fragrancy 

"As we rid along that lovely valley I have mentioned Sir, 
we saw many lovely Lakes or Ponds well stored with Fish 

and Beavers (We had about Twenty Miles to Natick, 

where the best Accommodations we cou'd meet, were very 
course. We ty'd up our Horses in two old Barns that were 
almost laid in Ruines But there was no place where we cou'd 
bestow ourselves unless, upon the Green-sward, till the Lec- 
ture began. 

" The Wigwams or Indian Houses are no more than so many 
Tents, and their way of Building 'em is this : They first take 
long Poles, and make 'em fast in the ground, and then cover 
them with Mats on the outside, which they tye to the Poles. 
Their Fire place is made in the Middle, and they leave a little 
opening upon the Top nncover'd with the Mats, which serves 
for a chimney. Their Doors are usually two, and made oppo- 
site to each other, which they o])en or shut according as the 
Wind sits, and these are either made of Mats or the Barks of 
Trees." — John Dunton's Letters from New England. 

" The men being most abominably slothful, and making their 
poor Squaws (for so tliey call their wives) do all their Drudg- 
ery, and Labour in the Field as well as at Home, planting and 
dressing their Corn and building also their Wigwams (or houses 
for them) .... They continue in a place until they have burnt 
up all the Wood there-a-bouts and then remove their Wigwams 
and follow that therefore Wood which they cann't fetch home 
to themselves ; And therefore thinking all others like them- 
selves ; They say English come hither because they wanted 
firing. 

" Their coats are made of divers sorts of Skins, whence they 
have their Deer-Skin Coats; their Beaver-Coats; tlieir Otter- 
Coats, their E.akoon-Skin Coats and their Squirrel Skin Coats. 
They have also a Coat or Mantle curiously made of the finest 



Sketch of John Eliot. 43 

and fairest feathers of their Tiirkies, which their old Men make, 
and is witli them as velvet is witli us in Esteem. Within this 
Coat or Skin they creep very contentedly, by day or night, in 
the Honse or in the Woods ; and sleep soundly too counting it 
a great happiness that every man is content with his skin. . . . 
They have also the skin of a great Beast called Moose, as big as 
an Ox, which some call a red Deer, which they commonly paint 
for their Summer Wearing, with variety of Forms and colours. 

" We went to visit their Indian Sachim and Queen ; I stepped 
Tip and kiss'd the Indian Queen, making her two very low 
Bows, which she returned very civilly. The Sachim was very 
tall and well limb'd, but had no Beard, and a sort of Horse 
Face. The Queen was well shap'd, and her Features might 
pass pretty well ; she had Eyes as black as Jet, and Teeth as 
white as Ivory ; her Hair was very black and long, and she was 
considerably up in years ; her Dress peculiar, she had Sleeves 
of Moose Skin, very finely dress'd and drawn with Lines of var- 
ious Colours in its Asiatick Work, and her Buskins were of the 
same sort ; her mantle was of fine blew cloath, but very short, 
and ty'd about her Shoulders and at the Middle with a Zone, 
curiously wrought with White and Blew Beads into pretty 
Figures ; her Bracelets and her Necklace were of the satVie sort 
of Beads, and she had a little Tal)let upon her Breast very finely 
deck'd with Jewels and Precious Stones ; her Hair was comb'd 
back and ty'd up with a Border, which was neatly work'd both 
with Gold and Silver. . . . 

"After we had been entertained by the (Indian) King and 
Queen, and left them. We were told that the meeting was near 
beginning, upon which Notice we went to the Meeting, where 
Mr. Gookins preached upon this Text : 

" ' It is appointed unto Men once to dye, and after that, the 
Judgment.' The poor Indians appear'd to me to sit under the 
Word with great Seriousness and Attention, and many of them 
seem'd very much aftected under it. . . . 



44 The Records of Oxford. 

"It was about Four in the Afternoon when the Lecture was 
ended, And we, having 20 long miles back to Boston, were 
making the best of our way, and therefore Mr. Mallinson, one 
of our Company, presently cry'd to Horse, to Horse, which we 
did accordingly in the same Order as we came .... After three 
hours hard Riding we got safe home to Boston." 

Sketch of Robert Boyle. 

In 1644 Robert Boyle returned from his travels on the con- 
tinent to England, and only after waiting four months, such 
was the confusion consequent upon the battle of Marston Moor, 
reached Stalbridge Manor, which he had inherited from his 
fathers estate ; he subsequently removed to Oxford and then 
to London, where he passed the remainder of his life. 

The political condition of England during Boyle's life was 
unfavorable to the repose of scholarship, as he was born during 
the reign of Charles I, lived during the Commonwealth and 
the turmoil of the Restoration, through the reigns of Charles II 
and James II, and died soon after the accession of William of 
Orange . * 



* Robert Boyle actively promoted the interests of the East India 
Company, being one of the directors of the company. 

He gave a handsome douceur for the translation of Grotius' Truth of 
the Christian Religion into Arabic, paid the expense of printing it at 
Oxford in 1660, and disseminated it widely amongst Arabic-speaking 
people. 

He paid £700 towards printing and circulating the Bible in the Irish 
dialect by Dr. Wm. Bodell, Bishop of Kilmore, in Ireland, and contrib- 
uted largely towards anotlier edition to be circulated among the Welsh 
and in the Highlands of Scotland. 

He contributed largely towards publishing Bishop Burnet's History of 
the Reformation. 

Extract from a letter from the London Propagation Society: 

"8e^t. 14, 1677. 
'' To the Honorable Robert Boyle, Esq., one of the directors of the 



Sketch of Robert Boyle. 45 

Extract from the will of Hon. Robert Bojle is dated the 
18th day of July, 1691, in the third year of the reign of our 
sovereign lord and lady William and Mary, by the grace of God 
King and Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, de- 
fenders of the faith. The will was signed 25 July, 1691. 

" First and chiefly, I commend my soul to Almighty God, 
my Creator, with full confidence of the pardon of all my sins 
in and through the mediation of my alone Saviour Jesus Christ ; 
and my body I commit to the earth, to be decently buried within 
the cities of London or Westminster, in case I die in England, 
without escutcheons or unnecessary pomp, and without any 
superfluous ceremonies, and without the expense of above two 
hundred and fifty pounds. 

" Being likewise desirous when I come to die to have noth- 
ing to do but to die Christianly, without being hindered, by 
any avoidable distraction, from employing the last hours of my 
life in sending up my desires and meditations before me to 
heaven." 

One of the items as found in the will of Hon. Robert Boyle : 

"Whereas I had set apart, among other things, the sum of 
£400 for certain pious uses, and whereas his late Majesty King 
Charles the Second having, by his special grace and favour with- 
out my seeking or knowledge, been pleased to constitute me 
governor of the corporation for propagating the Gospel amongst 
tlie heathen natives of New England and other parts of America, 

East India Company for trade, and governor of the Corporation of the 
GosjDel and the conversion of the American natives in New England. 

" Your charity is not limited only to the East Indies, for the poor souls 
of the West Indies are also bound to bless you, you being the head of 
that corporation which is established by his Majesty at London for the 
receiving and disposing of the benefactions of well-minded Christians (to 
which the said corporation do usually add of their own no small mites), 
to be transmited to the commissioners of the united colonies in New 
England, and there to be employed for the propagation of the Gospel." — 
Life of Robert Boyle, London edition. 



46 The Recoj'ds of Oxford. 

hath thereby given me opportunity to discern that work to be 
unquestionably pious and charitable; and whereas I have given 
and paid the sum of three hundred pounds towards that piety, 
I do hereby give and devise the sum of one hundred pounds 
more to the said corporation (though, by reason of sickness and 
infirmity, I have resigned the office of governor), to be set 
aside and employed as a stock for the relief of the poor Indian 
converts, which I hope will prove of good effect for the ad- 
vancement of the pious work for which they are constituted, 
and which I heartily pray him, whose glory the work itself 
tends unto (and I hope the persons intrusted with it aim at), to 
give them a prosperous success." 

" From a fund arising under the ' will ' of the Hon. Robert 
Boyle, the first governor of the Company." 

" As re-established after the restoration. By virtue of his 
' will' the Company in 1695 acquired a perpetual rent-charge 
of £90 a year for Missionaries to the natives of New 
England." 

•' The income of the funds subject to the Hon. Robert Boyle's 
Trust, is applicable to the following purpose : For the advance- 
ment of the Christian religion among infidels in divers parts of 
America under the Cj'own of the United Kingdom." 

In person the Hon. Robert Boyle was tall and slight in 
figiire, of quiet manners, but of great elegance and dignity. 

He was unostentatious in all affairs of public or private life. 

Charles II, James II and William III were so charmed 
with his conversation that they often sought his society, admit- 
ted him to the palace with the slightest possible formality and 
discoursed with him with familiarity. 

These three sovereigns successively offered him a peerage, 
but all these honors he declined in his devotion to learning. 

He died December 31, 1691, aged 65 years ; his remains 
were laid in the chancel of St. Martin's in the Field, West- 
minster. The audience at his funeral included nearly all the 



Sketch of Robert Boyle. 47 

people of station, influence or learning in the Kingdom. Bishop 
Burnet preached his remarkable sermon from the words: " For 
God giveth to a man that is good in his sightj wisdom, and 
knowledge and joy." 

Bishop Burnet sums up his brilliant eulogium of his char- 
acter in the following strain : 

" I will not amuse you with a list of his astonishing knowl- 
edge, or of his great performances in this way. They are 
highly valued all the w^orld over, and his name is everywhere 
mentioned with particular characters of respect."* 

*The family position of Hon. Robert Boyle may be of interest to the 
antiquary : He was the son of the Right Hon. Richard Boyle, the first 
Earl of Cork, in Ireland. " The Earl of Cork," who being born a pri- 
vate gentleman, and the younger brother of a younger brother, to no 
other inheritance than is expressed in the motto, which his humble 
gratitude inscribed upon all the palaces which he built, and indeed 
ordered to be placed upon his tomb. 

" God's Providence, mine Inheritance." By which Providence, and 
God's blessing upon his own prudent industry, he raised himself to such 
an honor and estate, and left such a family as never any subject in these 
three Kingdoms did, and (which is more) with so unspotted a reputa- 
tion of integrity, that the narrowest scrutiny could find nothing to ex- 
cept against, in all the methods of his rising, though they were searched 
into most severely. 

' ' This noble Lord was blessed with an ample progeny, having five 
sons, whereof he lived to see four of them Lords, and Peers of the King- 
dom of Ireland, and the fifth (Robert) though not equal in titles, yet as 
truly famous, and honorable for his piety, parts and learning. He had 
also eight daughters, whereof the eldest, the Lady Alice, was married to 
the Lord Baramore; the second, the Lady Sarah, was married to the 
Lord Digby, of Ireland; the third, the Lady Letitia, to the eldest son of 
the Lord Goring, who dyed Earl of Norwich; the fourth, the Lady .loan, 
to the Earl of Kildare, Primier Earl of Ireland, and of the Antientest 
House in Christendom, of that degree, the present Earl being the sixth, 
or seventh and twentieth of lineal descent from the same." 

' ' (A great Antiquary hath observed, that the three Antientest Families 
in Europe for Nobility, are the Veres in England, Earls of Oxford, and 



48 The Records of Oxford. 

CHAPTEE y. 

Philip's War. 

" Philip's "War, 1675-76, was very disastrous to the labors 
of Mr. Eliot, and almost entirely suspended them. The irrita- 
tion against the Indians was very great, and jealousy and dis- 
trust of his converts were everywhere rife, and the rage of the 
people was violent and alarming. 

" Mr, Gookiu and Mr. Eliot incurred much abuse." — Mor- 
ton's N. E. Mem. 391. 



the Fitz-Geralds ia Ireland, Earls of Kildare, and the Momorancies in 
France.) 

" The fifth, the Lady Katherine, was married to the Lord viscount 
Ranelaugli ; tlie sixth, was the Lady Dorothy Loftus ; the seventh, the 
Lady Mary, wliich shut up and Crowned this Noble Train, was Married 
to Charles (Rich), Earl of Warwick, of whom it may be truly sayd: 
' Many Daughters, all his Daughters, did virtuously, but she surmounted 
them all.' 

"The eighth, the Lady Margaret died unmarried. 

The Earl of Cork states that " Being the second son of a younger 
brother, and it pleased the Almighty by his divine providence to take me, 
as it were, by the hand, and lead me into Ireland ; when I happily arrived 
at Dublin, on the Midsummer-eve, the 23d of June, 1588. 

"When I first arrived at Dublin in Ireland, all my wealth then, 
was twenty-seven pounds, three shillings in money, and two tokens 
which my mother had given me, viz.: a diamond ring, whicli I have 
ever since and still do wear, and a bracelet of gold worth about ten 
pounds; a taffety doublet, cut with and upon taffety; a pair of black 
velvet breeches laced; a new Milan fustian suit laced and cut upon 
taffety; two cloaks; competent linen and necessaries with my rapier, 
and dagger." 

The Earl of Cork married Catherine, the daughter of Sir Geoffrey 
Fenton. 



Philip's War. 49 

Extract from a Letter from E,ev. John Eliot to Hon. 
Robert Boyle, after Philip's War. 

"RoxBURY, October 23, 1677. 

" Right honourable nursing father : 

" The poor prajing Indians do thankfully acknowledge that 
(under God our heavenly father, and under Jesus Christ our 
redeemer, who redeemeth us out of all our troubles) you have 
been the means and instrument in his hand, to save and de- 
liver us. God moved your heart to own us, in that black 
day when all were against us, and we were almost ready to be 
swallowed up in destruction ; which dark time we ought not 
to forget, nor your owning kindness unto us in that dark day. 
And since that, your charity hath greatly revived and refreshed 
us. Many of our aged, decrepid, fatherless, and widows, still 
wear the garments, not yet worn out, which jour charity did 
the last winter, clothe us withal. And although we yet know 
not what our honoured commissioners will do for us, whose 
favour we doubt not of. 

" Kothwithstanding Philip had renewed a treaty of peace 
with the English in 1671, he appears to have been in a con- 
spiracy with the Indians against the English that there should 
be a general uprising of the Indians to destroy all the English 
plantations in the country. The Narragansett Indians having 
promised Philip to furnish him with four thousand lighting 
men in the spring of 1676, to aid in exterminating the English.* 



* One of the articles of Philip's Treaty with the English, 1671 : 

" I am willing and do promise to pay imto the government of Plim- 

outh, one hundred pounds in such things as I have; But I would intreat 

the favor that I might have three years to pay it in, for as much as I 

cannot do it at present. 

" I do promise to send unto the Governor, or whom he shall appoint, 

five wolves heads, if I can get them ; or, as many as I can procure, until 

they come to five wolves yearly." 



50 TJie Records of Oxford. 

"In 1671 Philip had been compelled bj the English to de- 
liver up all the English arms in his tribe. The compulsion 
rankled sorely ; to the Indians it appeared an aggression as 
they had become acquainted with the use of English fire-arms, 
and being convinced of their superiority over bows and arrows, 
would give almost any amount in wampun, beaver skins, or 
even in land, in exchange for them." 

Though not an unprejudiced historian, Hubbard states: 

" It is apparent upon what terms the English stood with the 
Narragansetts, ever since the cutting off Miantonorao, their 
chief sachem's head by Uncas, it being done with the advice 
and consent of the English. Anno 1643." 

" A taste for havoc was established between heathen Wam- 
panoag and half converted Nipmuck. Without provocation, 
and without warning, they gave full sway to the inhuman pas- 
sions of their savage nature, and broke into a wild riot of pil- 
age, arson and massacre." — Palfre}', III, 159. 

In the summer of 1675, and in the autumn and winter fol- 
lowing, the Nipmuck Indians burned the towns of Brookfield, 
Lancaster, Mendon, and Worcester, which were the only Eng- 
lish settlements in the present Worcester count}'. 

Brookfield, the Indian name of which was Quaboag or 
Quabaug, originally included JSTorth and West Brookfield. 
This place was, for a long time, an isolated settlement be- 
tween the towns on the Connecticut river, viz., Agawam 
(Springfield), Hartford, Windsor and Weathersfield and the 
sea-board. It suffered severely by the assaults of the Indians. 
Brookfield was granted for a township in 1665. It was the 
nearest settlement to Marlborough. 

" At what is West Brookfield, near to the south-west end of 
Wekabaug* Pond, on a knoll below the junction of the waters 
of the pond with the Quaboag river, stood Mark's garrison." 

*" In the Indian language meaning Sweet Water." 



Philip's War. 51 

Mrs. Mark, being left aloue, one day, discovered hostile 
Indians near the garrison, waiting for an opportunity of attack; 
she immediately put on her husband's wig, hat and great coat, 
and taking his gun went to the top of the fortification ; " march- 
ing backwards and forwards, and vociferating, like a vigilant 
sentinel, All's well! All's well ! " This ruse led the Indians to 
beheve they could not take the place by surprise and they re- 
tired.* 

Meminimisset, now New Braintkee. 

On the westerly side of the town of Brookfield there is a 
large brook called Meminimisset brook, the name given to it by 
the Indians. On this brook there is a luxuriant meadow of 
several hundred acres called Meminimisset. When a hideous 
swamp, this was the headquarters of the Indians at the time 
when Brookfield was burnt by the Indians. The General 
Court of Massachusetts having granted six thousand acres of 
land to certain persons of the ancient town of Braintree, in the 
county of Sufiiolk, for services by them done to the public. It 
was called and known by the style of Braintree Farms. This 
tract of land, with a part of Brookfield and a part of Hardwick, 
was incorporated 1751 with the name of J^ew Braintree.f 

The town of Lancaster goes far back into the history of 
Massachusetts ; it had been known to the English in 1643 as 



*The Indian proprietors of Quaboag, now Brookfield, had given to 
the Rev. John Eliot, late of Roxbury, clerk, deceased, '' a tract of land 
at a place known as ' Alum Ponds,' lying in the wilderness west of Brook- 
field, of one thousand acres, as a tribute of their affection for him." 
Date of the grant September 27, 1655. This grant was confirmed by the 
Legislature in 1715 to John Eliot, his grandson. 

jMemiuimisset was known, in 1675, as the " chief Indian town of 
the Nipmuck Indians;" and also as the place where Capt. Edward 
Hutchinson, of Boston, was shot by the Indians in an effort to make a 
treaty with them and the English. Mrs. Rowlandson, of Lancaster, 
was taken by the Indians to this place while a cajitive. 



52 The Records of Oxford. 

the Indian town of Nashaway. It was incorporated as a town 
in 1653. 

Sterling was for many years the second parish in Lancaster; 
in 1781 it became incorporated and received its present name. 

Gov. Winthrop's History of New England dates the settle- 
ment of the Indian town of Nashaway, May, IGM, by the 
English, and refers to events preceding that time. 

The whole of the territory was in subjection to Sholan, or 
Shauinaw, Sachem of the Nashuays, and whose residence was 
at Waushacum,* now Sterling, then a part of Lancaster.f Sho- 
lan occasionally visited Watertown for the pm'pose of trading 
with Mr. Thomas King who resided there. 

" lie recommended Nashawogg to King as a place well 
suited for a plantation, and desired the English would come 
and set down by him." 

Stipulating not to molest the Indians in their hunting, fish- 
ing or planting places. 

Mendon. 

" At a General Court holden in Boston, October 16, 1660, 
they judge tneete and proper to grant a plantation." 

The deed fi-oni the Indians to the English is dated April 22, 
16r)2, witnessed by John Eliot, Sr. and John Eliot, Jr. 

Jan. 1, 1669, O. S. " The town men chose the Colonell to be 
returned to the Courte to gain power to take the verdict of ye 
jury upon ye death of John Lovett — to marry — and to give 
the present constable his oath." 

These powers were conferred upon Colonel Crowne at a 
General Court at Boston, May, 1669, O. S. 

The English who made a settlement in Mendon were from 
Brain tree and Weymouth. 

With the distin<j;uished names of Atherton and Crowne, are 



* Sometimes spelled Weshakim. t History of Lancaster. 



Philifs War. 53 

found Abraham Staples (gentleman), Ferdinando Thayer, 
Daniel Lovett and others. 

The Indian name of the town of Mendon was Nipmug. 

In the first settlement of the town by the Enghsh, there 
were four gentlemen elected by the Court, called the commit- 
tee for Nipmug, Major Humphrey Atherton and three others 
and " only three of them shall be and are hereby irapowered to 
make a valid act there." 

May 15, 1667, the plantation of Nipmug which was now 
called Quinshepange was incorporated by the name of Mendon, 
Suffolk county. 

Expedition of the English into the Nakragansett 

COUNTKT. 

In the autumn of 1675 it appeared to the English that the 
Indians had withdrawn themselves into their winter quarters ; 
some to the Dutch river (Hudson); others to the Narragansett 
fort.* 

The English were persuaded that there should be an imme- 
diate attack where so many of the Narragansett Indians were 



Settlement of Worcester. — A tract of land eight miles square was 
purchased of the Indians for twelve pounds lawful money. The deed 
bears date July 13, 1674. 

Dec. 3, 1675, Increase Mather writes: 

" This day all the houses in Quonsukamuck (Worcester) were burnt by 
the Indians." 

The buildings had been previously deserted by the inhabitants through 
fear of an Indian attack. 

A second attempt to make an English settlement at Quinsigamond 
(Worcester) was undertaken in 1683, and the name of Worcester given 
to the settlement in 1684, from a petition of Major Daniel Gookin and 
others. 

In 1694 the settlement was abandoned. 

In 1713 a permanent settlement was made in Worcester by the English. 

* The fort of the Narragansetts was in South Kingston, R. I. 



54 rhe Records of Oxford. 

gathered together, for if not attacked they "would join Philip 
in the spring, in exterminating the English throughout the 
country. 

When the soldiers were mustered into service on Dedham 
Plain against the Narragausett Indians, in what was called the 
" Narragansett fight," they were told by authority of govern- 
ment, 

" That if they ' played the man,' took the fort, and drove the 
enemy from the Narragansett country, they should have a 
gratuity of land, besides their wages." 

The ancestors of the following families of Oxford were en- 
gaged in the taking of the Narragansett Fort, viz.: 

Peter Shuraway of Topsfield, Mass. ; Lieut. Isaac Learned, 
Framinghara, Mass. ; Stephen Butler of Boston, Mass., and the 
descendants of Major Bradford of Plymouth, Mass. 

Description of the Narragansett Fort, as Given by 

Hubbard. 

" The fort was raised upon a kind of island of five or six acres 
of rising land in the midst of a swamp ; the sides of it were made 
of pallisadoes, set upright, which was compassed about with an 
hedge of almost a rod thickness, through which there was no 
passing, unless they would have fired a way through, which 
then they had no time to do. The place where the Indians used 
ordinarily to enter themselves, was upon a long tree over a place 
of water, where but one man could enter at a time, and which 
was so waylaid that they would have been cut off that had 
ventured there ; but at one corner there was a cap made up 
only with a long tree, about four or five feet from the ground, 
over which men might easily pass, but they had placed a kind 
of a block-house right over against the said tree, from thence 
they sorely galled our men that first entered, some being shot 
dead upon the tree, and some as soon as they entered." 

The Narragansetts having been driven out of their country, 



Philip's War. 55 

fled through the Nipnet plantations toward Wachuset hills, 
meeting with all the Indians that had harbored daring the win- 
ter in those woods about Nashua ; thej all combined against 
the English to exterminate them. 

Philip was not discovered when the fort was taken by the 
ErigHsh, and yet soon afterward he was at Lancaster when the 
attack was made upon that place by the Indians. It is supposed 
he was concealed in the Narragansett country. 

At the outbreak of the Narragansett war in 1675, the Nip- 
muck Indians joined King Philip, and after his defeat in his 
own country, the lands about the Wachasetts became one of 
the head-quarters of his followers, where he was frequently 
present. 

Although some of them had received the Christian instruction 
of Eliot and Gookin, they made the disastrous attack upon 
Lancaster. 

It was on February 10, 1675, O. S., that the Indians made 
a descent upon Lancaster with 1,500 warriors, and massacred 
or carried into captivity the inhabitants. Early in the morning 
the Wampanoags under Philip, accompanied by the Karragan- 
setts, his allies, and the Nipmucks whom Philip had persuaded 
to join with him, made this attack upon Lancaster, joined by 
the Nashaways under Sagamore Sam. The Indians directed 
their course to the home of Master Joseph Rowlandson, the 
minister of Lancaster ; the house was defended as a garrison, 
it was filled with soldiers and inhabitants to the number of 
from forty to fifty. Mr. Rowlandson himself was absent from 
home, being in Boston to request Governor Leverett and Coun- 
cil to give the town of Lancaster military aid. 

" The enemy after several unsuccessful attempts to set fire 
to the building, filled a cart with combustible matter and ap- 
proached in the rear." 

Hubbard relates, " The fortification was on the back side of 
the house, being closed up with fire-wood. The Indians reached 



5 6 The Records of Oxford. 

so near as to fire a leanter (leanto), and in this way soon the 
whole house was enveloped in flames, and the inhabitants find- 
ing further resistance useless were compelled to surrender to 
avoid perishing in the ruins." 

The story of Mrs. Kowlandson's captivity must be read in 
her " Inimitable Removes," as the narrative presents scenery 
and pictures of Indian life that cannot elsewhere be found. 

Mrs. Eowlandson narrates : "At length they came and beset 
our own house, and quickly it was the dolefullest day that ever 
my eyes saw. The house stood upon the edge of a hill ; some 
of the Indians got behind the hill, others in the barn, and 
others behind any thing that could shelter them ; from all of 
which places they shot against the house, so that the bullets 
seemed to fly like hail, and quickly they wounded one man 
among us, then another, and then a third. About two hours 
(according to my observation in that amazing time) they had 
been about the house before they prevailed to fire it (which 
they did with flax and hemp, which they brought out of the 
barn, and there being no defence about the house, only two 
flankers at two opposite corners, and one of them not finished) 
they fired it once and one ventured out and quenched it, but 
they quickly fired it again, and that took. Now is that dread- 
ful hour come, that I have often heard of (in the time of the 
war, as it was the case of others), but now mine eyes see it. 
Some in our house were fighting for their lives, others wallow- 
ing in their blood, the house on fire over our heads, and the 
bloody heathen ready to knock us on the head if we stirred 
out. Now might we hear mothers and children crying out for 
themselves and one another. Lord what shall we do ! 

" Then I took my children to go forth and leave the house, 
but as soon as we came to the door and appeared, the Indians 
shot so thick that the bullets rattled against the house as if one 
had taken a handful of stones and threw them, so that we were 
forced to give back. We had six stout dogs belonging to our 



Philip" s War. 57 

garrison, but none of them would stir, though another time, if 
an Indian had come to the door they were read}' to fly upon 
him and tear him down. 

Mrs. Rowlandson was shot through the side and the same 
bullet wounded her child of six years old. 

" The Indians laid hold of us pulling me one way, and the 
children another, and said come go along with us, I told them 
they would kill me ; they answered if I were willing to go 
along with them they would not hurt me 

" Now we must go with those barbarous creatures with our 
bodies wounded and bleeding, and our hearts no less than our 
bodies; about a mile we went that night, up upon a liill within 
sight of the town, where they intended to lodge. 

"There was hard by a vacant liouse deserted bv the English 
before, for fear of the Indians, I asked them whether I might 
not lodge in that house that night ? To which they answered, 
what will you love Englishmen still ? 

" This was the dolefullest night that ever my eyes saw." 

Mrs. Rowlandson is now a captive of the Indians, is treading 
her way through the thickets of trackless forest in the midvst of 
winter, with no comforts to supply her necessities and nothing 
but the unmingled fear of a hopeless captivity in the future. 

" The next morning one of the Indians carried my poor 
wounded (child) upon a horse ; it went moaning all along, I 
shall die, I shall die; I went on foot after it, with sorrow that 
cannot be expressed. 

" At length I took it off the horse, and carried it in my arms, 
till my strength failed and I fell down with it. Tiiey then set 
me upon a horse with my wounded child . . . ., and there being 
no furniture upon the horse's back, as we were going down a 
steep hill, we both fell over the horse's head, at which they like 
inhuman creatures laughed and rejoiced to see it, though I 
thought we should there have ended our days as overcome with 
so many difficulties. . . . After this it quickly began to snow, 
8 



58 The Records of Oxford. 

and when night came on, they stopped; and now down I must 
sit in the snow, by a little fire, and a few boughs behind me 
with my sick child . . . . , and (she)'calling much for water, being 
through the wound fallen into a violent fever. 

" The morning being come they proposed to go on their way; 
one of the Indians got up upon a horse, and they set me up 

behind him, with my poor sick child A ver^ wearisome 

tedious day I had of it ; what with ray own wound, and my 
child being so exceeding sick, and in a lamentable condition 
with her wound, it might easily be judged what a poor feeble 
condition we were in, there being not the least crumb of refresh- 
ing that came within either of our mouths from Wednesday 
night to Saturday night, except only a little cold water. 

" This day in the afternoon, about an hour by sun, they came 
to the place where they intended, viz. : an Indian town called 
Meminimisset (New Braintree), northward of Quaboag (Brook- 
field). 

" The next day was the Sabbath. I sat much alone with my 
poor wounded child, which moaned night and day, having 
nothing to revive the body or cheer the spirits of her ; but in- 
stead of that, one Indian would come and tell me one hour, 
and your master will knock your child on the head, and then a 
second, and then a third, your master will quickly knock your 
child on the head. This was the comfort I had from them ; 
miserable comforters were they all. 

" Thus nine days I sat. My child being ready to depart this 
sorrowful world, they bid me carry it out to another wigwam. 
(I suppose because they would not be troubled with such spec- 
tacles.) 

" About two hours in the night, my sweet (child), like a lamb, 
departed this life on February 18, 1675. It being about six 
years and five months old .... In the morning, when they under- 
stood tiiat my child was dead, they sent for me to my master'n 
wigwam. (By my master in this writing must be understood 
Qunnaopin, who was a Sagamore, and married K. Philip's 



Philip's War. 59 

wife's sister ; not that he lirst took me, but I was sold to him 
by a Narraganset Indian, who took me when I first came out 
of the garrison.) I went to take np my dead child in ray arms 
to carry it with lue, but they bid me let it alone. Thei'e was 
no resisting, but go I must and leave it. When I had been 
awhile at my master's wigwam, I took the first opportunity I 
could get to go look after ray dear child. 

" When I came, 1 asked them what they had done with it? 
They told me it was upon the hill ; then they went and showed 
me where it was where I saw the ground was newly digged 
and where they told me they had buried it. There I left that 
child in the wilderness .... 

" I went to see my daughter Mary, who was at this same 
Indian town, at a wigwam not very far off, though we had but 
little liberty or opportunity to see one another. She was about 
ten years old, and taken from the door at first by a praying 
Indian, and afterward sold for a gun. When I came in sight, 
she would fall a weeping, at which they were provoked and 
would not let me come near her, but bid rae begone, wliich was 
a heart-cutting word to me, I had one child dead, another in 
the wilderness, I knew not where ; the third they would not let 
me come near to. ... * 

"For as I was going up and down mourning and lamenting 
ray condition, my son came to me, and asked me how I did. I 
had not seen him before since the destruction of the town, and 
I knew not where he was till I was informed by himself that he 
was amongst a smaller parcel of Indians, whose place was about 
six miles off. With tears in his eyes, he asked me whether 
his sister Sarah was dead, and told me he had seen his sister 
Mary, and prayed me I would not be troubled in reference 
to himself .... 

" In time of his master's absence to burn and assault Med- 
field, his dame brought him to see me. 

* She parted with Mary ; saw her no more until she was restored to her 
in Dorchester after her captivity. 



6o The Records of Oxford. 

" The next day the Indians returned from Medfield (all the 
company), for those that belonged to the smaller company came 
through the town that now we were at ; but before they came 
to us, oh the outrageous roaring and hooping that there was! 
They began their din about a mile before they came to us; by 
their noise they signified how many they had destroyed (which 
was at that time twenty-three) ; those that were with us at home 
were gathered together as soon as they heard the whooping, and 
every time the other went over their number those at home 
gave a shout that the very earth rang again, and thus they con- 
tinued until those that liad been upon the expedition were come 
to the Saggamore's wigwam. And then, oh the hideous, insult- 
ing and triumphing there was over some Englishmen's scalps 
that they had taken and brought with them as their manner is. 

" The Indians now began to talk of removing from this place, 
some one way and some another," 

Hubbard states that ten days after the attack upon Lancas- 
ter "the Indians were so flushed with this success, that two or 
three hundred of them came wheeling down to Medfield, 
and they burnt near one-half of the town, killing about twenty 
persons." — Hubbard's "Indian Wars," p. 168. 

Mr. Hubbard states with great credulity, " The week before 
this disaster was heard a very hideous cry of a kennel of wolves 
round the town, which raised some of the inhabitants, and was 
looked upon by divers persons as an ominous presaging of the 
following calamity," 

" In 1076, tliis 26th day of March, being the first day of the 
week, as the first of the year after our Julian account, seemed 
ominous at the first, on sundry accounts, threatening a gloomy 
time, yet proved in the issue, but as a lowering morning before 
a lightsome day."* 



*February21, 1676, la the attack upon Medfield, ''Philip had been 
seen by the inhabitants riding upon a black horse, leaping over fences, 
exulting in the havoc he was making . 



Philip's War. 6i 

Mrs. Rowlandson while in captivity, continuing her narra- 
tive " upon the Sabbath days I could look upon the scene, and 
think how people were going to the house of God to have their 
souls refreshed, and their homes and their bodies also. I re- 
member how, on the night before and after the Sabbath, when 
my family were about me, and relations and neighbors with us, 
we could pray and sing, and refresh ourselves with the good 
creatures of God." 

Some of the Indians, with the master and mistress of Mrs. 
Rowlandson pursued their way through the forest toward 
Northampton. Mrs. Rowlandson narrates " I carried only my 
knitting work, and two quarts of parched corn. Being very 
faint I asked my mistress to give me one spoonful of meal, but 
she would not give me a taste; I was at this time knitting a 
pair of white cotton stockings for my mistress, 

" On the morrow we must go over Connecticut river to meet 
with King Philip. In this travel up the river, as I sat among 
them musing on things past, my son Joseph unexpectedly came 
to me ; w^e asked of each other's welfare, bemoaning our dole- 
ful condition. 

" We travelled all night, and in the morning we must go over 
the river to Philip's crew. I fell a weeping; then one of 
them asked me why I wept; I could hardly tell what to say, 
yet I answered, tliey would kill me. No, said he, none will 
hurt you. Then came one of them, and gave me two spoonfuls 
of meal (to comfort me), and another gave me half a pint of 
pease. 

" Then I went to see King Philip, he bid me come in and sit 
down, and asked me whether I would smoke it. 

" Now the Indians gather their Forces to go against North- 
ampton ; over night one went about yelling and hooting to 
give notice of the design. Whereupon they went to boiling of 
ground nuts and parching of corn (as many as had it) for their 
provision, and in the morning away they went. 



62 TJie Records of Oxford. 

" During my abode in this place Philip spake to me to make 
a shirt for his boy, which I did, for which he gave me a shill- 
ing. I offered the money to my master, but he bid me keep 
it, and with it I bought a piece of horse flesh. Afterward he 
asked me to make a cap for his boy for which he invited me 
to dinner. 1 went and he gave me a pan cake about as big as 
two fingers ; it was made of parched wheat, beaten and fryed 
in bear's grease, but I thought I never tasted pleasanter meat 
in my life. 

" There was a squaw who spoke to me to make a shirt for her 
sannup for which she gave me a piece of bear another asked 
me to knit her a pair of stockings for which she gave me a 
quart of pease. I boiled my pease and bear together, and in- 
vited my master and mistress to dinner ; but the proud gossip, 
because I served them both in one dish would eat nothing, ex- 
cept one bit he gave her upon the point of his knife. 

" The Indians returning from Northampton brought with 
them horses and sheep. I desired them that they would carry 
me to Albany upon one of those horses and sell me for powder, 
for so they had sometimes discoursed, but instead of going to 
Albany or homeward we must go five miles up the river and 
then go over it. 

" When we were at this place my master's maid came home, 
she had been gone three weeks into the Narragansett country 
to fetch corn where they had stored up some in the ground. 

" She brought home about a peck and a half of corn — this 
was about the time that their great Captain Naananto was 
killed in the Narragansett country.* 

" My son being about a mile from me I asked liberty to go 
and see him ; they bid me go and away I went. 

* An attack was made on Northampton, March 14. — Hubbard's 
"Indian Wars." 

Naauanto (Nanuntteuoo) alias Canonchet. 

The chief Sachems usually changing their names at every great dance. 
— Hubbard, page 82. 



Philip's War. 63 

"And going among the wigwams I went into one and there 
found a squaw — showed herself very kind to me, and gave 
me a piece of bear. . . .In the morning I went again to the 
same squaw, who had a kettle of ground nuts boihng ; I asked 
her to let me boil my piece of bear in her kettle, which she 
did and gave me some ground nuts to eat with it. Sometimes 
I met with favor and sometimes with nothing but frowns. 

" I asked my master if he would sell me to ray husband, he 
answered nux, which did rejoice my spirit. Instead of going 
toward the bay (which was what I desired) I must go with 
them five or six miles down the river. Here one asked me to 
make a shirt for her papoos, for which she gave me a mess of 
broth, which was thickened with meal made of the bark of a 
tree, and to make it better she had put into it about a handful 
of pease and a few roasted ground nuts. 

" About this time they came yelping from Hadley and brought 
a captive with them, viz. Thomas Read, I asked him about 
the welfare of my husband, he told me he saw him such a time 
in the bay and he was well but very melancholy. 

" My son came and told me ; he had a new master ; he was 
carried away and I never saw him afterward till I saw him at 
Piscataqua in Portsmouth. 

" My mistress' papoos was sick and died, I went to a wigwam, 
they gave me a skin to lye upon, and a mess of venison and 
ground nuts, which was a choice dish among them. 

" On the morrow they buried the papoos, and afterward, both 
morning and evening, there came a company to mourn and 
howl with her. 

" Many sorrowful eyes I had in this place ; now must we pack 
up and begone from this thicket, bending our course toward the 
bay towns. 

" We began this remove by wading over a river. Then I 
sat down to put on my stockings and shoes, with the tears 
running down my eyes and many sorrowful thoughts in my 



64 The Records of Oxford. 

heart. But I got up to go along with them. Quickly there 
came up to us an Indian, who informed them that I must go 
to Wachuset to my master, for there was a letter come from 
the council to the Sagamores about redeeming the captives. 

" At last after many weary steps, I saw Wachuset hills, but 
many miles off. Philip (who was in the company) came up and 
took me by the hand and said two weeks more and you shall 
be mistress again, I asked him if he spoke true ? He answered 
yes, and quickly you shall come to your master again, who had 
been gone fi'om us three weeks. After many weary steps we 
came to Wachuset where he was, and glad was I to see him. 
He asked me when I washed me, I told him not this month ; 
then he fetched some water himself and bid me wash, and gave 
me the glass to see how I looked and bid his squaw give me 
something to eat. So she gave me a mess of beans and meat, 
and a little ground nut cake. I was wonderfully revived with 
this favor showed me. 

" My master had three squaws, living sometimes with one and 
sometimes with another ; one, this old squaw, at whose wigwam 
I was and with whom my master had been these three weeks ; 
another was Wettimore, with whom I had lived and served all 
this while. A severe and proud dame she was, bestowing every 
day in dressing herself, near as much time as any of the gentry 
of the land. Powdering her hair and painting her face, going 
with her necklaces, with jewels in her ears and bracelets upon 
her hands. When she had dressed herself, her work was to 
make girdles of wampum and beads. 

" The third squaw was a younger one, by whom he had two 
papooses. 

"By that time i was refreshed by the old squaw, Wettimore's 
maid came to call me home, at which I fell a weeping. Then 
the old squaw told me, to encourage me, that when I wanted 
victuals that I should come to her and lye in her wigwam. 



Philip's War, 65 

Then I went with the maid, and quickly I came back and 
lodged there .... 

" The squaw laid a mat under me and a good rug over me, 
the first time I had any such kindness showed me. I under- 
stood that Wettimore thought that if she should let me go and 
serve with the old squaw she should be in danger not only to 
lose my service, but tlie redemption pay also. There came an 
Indian and asked me to knit him three pairs of stockings for 
which I had a hat and a silk handkerchief. 

" Then came Tom and Peter with the second letter from the 
Counsel about the caj^tives, though they were Indians I got 
them by the hand and burst out into tears. When the letter was 
come, the Sagamores met to consult about the captives and 
called me to them to enquire how much my husband would 
give to redeem me. When I came I sat down among them as 
I was wont to do, as their manner is ; then they bid me stand 
up, and said they were tlie General Court. ... At a venture 
I said twenty pounds, yet desired them to take less, but they 
would not hear of that, but sent that message to Boston, that 
for twenty pounds I should be redeemed." 

"An attack was made by the Indians upon tlie town of Marl- 
borough, the most part of which was destroyed March 26. 
The Indians burnt the deserted houses at Marlborough, April 
17-March 21, the next day they set upon Sudbury." — Hub- 
bard's Indian Wars.* 



*It is said, " Mrs. Rowlandson was at Wachusett when the Indians 
returned from Marlborough, and witnessed their grand pow wow, pre- 
paratory to attacking Sudbury, as well as their rejoicing on returning 
from that slaughter of the English." 

It is said that " Wachusett " was at this time the " headquarters " of 
the hostile Indians as not only appears from Mrs. Rowlandson's narra- 
tive, but from those of Hubbard and Mather. Tlie letters of Capt. 
Henchman, in command of the colony forces, and official communica- 
tions from the General Court, May 3, 1676. It sent Seth Perry as its 

9 



66 The Records of Oxford. 

"And so they ended their business and went to Sudbury 
fight. When my master came home he came to me and bid 
me make a shirt for his papoos of a holland laced pillow beer. 
A squaw gave me a piece of fresh pork and a little salt with 
it, and lent me her frying pan to fry it, and I cannot but re- 
member what a sweet pleasant and delightful relish that bit 
had to me to tins day. 

" It was their usual way to remove when they had done any 
mischief. We went about three or four miles and then built 
a great wigwam big enough to hold an hundred Indians which 
they did in preparation for a great day of dancing. They 
would now say among themselves that the governor would be so 
angry for his loss at Sudbury that he would send no more 
about the captives, and not stir. 

" Then they catched up their guns and away they ran as if 
an enemy had been at hand and the guns went off apace. 

" I manifested some great trouble and they asked me what 
was the matter. I told them I thought they had killed the 
Englishman (for they had in the meantime told me an English- 
man was come). They said no ; they shot over his horse and 
under and before his horse, and they pushed him this way and 
that way at their pleasure, showing what they could do. Then 
they let them come to their wigwams. I begged of them to 
let me see the Englishman, but they would not, but then when 
they had talked their full with him they suffered me to go to 
him. We asked each other of our welfare and how my husband 
did and all my friends ; he told me they were all well and 

*' messenger to the Sachems of Wachuset, with a letter addressed to the 
Sagamores about Watchusetts, Philip, John, Sam, Waskaken, Old Queen 
and Pomham," all leading sachems. 

"A praying Indian was at Sudbury fight, though, as he deserved, he 
was afterward hanged for it, his squaw with him with her papoos on her 
back. There was another praying Indian so wicked and cruel as to 
wear a string about his neck strung with Christians' fingers." 



Philip'' s War. 6"/ 

would be glad to see me. Among other things which my hus- 
band sent me, there came a pound of tobacco which I sold for 
nine shillings in money. For many of them for want of 
tobacco smoked hemlock and ground ivy." 

Extracts from Mrs. Rowlandson's Removes. 

After Mrs, Rowlandson's capture she was taken to Wachu- 
sett mountain and by successive "Removes" through the 
wilderness to Northtield on the Connecticut, above Deerfield.* 
" After many weary steps," returning from her wilderness — 
winter wanderings, Mrs. Rowlandson states, "we came to 
Wachusett," as they approached it through a great swamp, up 
to their knees in mud and water, she says, " going along, hav- 
ing, indeed, my life, but little spirit, Philip (who was in the 
company) came up and took me by the hand and said ' two 
weeks more and you shall be mistress again,' I asked him if 
he spoke true ; he answered ' yes, and quickly you shall come 
to your master again.' " 

Mrs. Rowlandson remained at Wachusett, until released. 

Not only was King Philip with her captors, but several 
others of the leading Sagamores, and among them, Quannapin, 
the master of Mrs. Rowlandson, and his wife, the celebrated 
" Swaw Sachem," " Metamoo," " Queen of Pocasset."f 

" On a Sabbath day the sun being about an hour high in the 
afternoon, came Mr. John Hoar (the council permitting him, 
and his own forward spirit inclining him) with the two fore- 
mentioned Indians, Tom and Peter, with the third letter from 
the council. When they came near I was abroad ; they pres- 
ently calling me in, and bid me sit down and not stir." He at 

*One account states " Mrs. Rowlandson was taken as far as Brattle- 
borough, or beyond in the forest." 

t" Metamoo was next unto Philip in respect to the mischief that 
hath been done and the blood that hath been shed in this warr. " — 
Cotton Mather. 



68 The Records of Oxford. 

once opened negotiations for Mrs. Rowlandson's release, the 
narrative coiitinnes : 

"In the mornino; Mr. Hoar invited the Saof2camores to din- 
ner, l)ut when we went to get it ready he found they had stolen 
the greatest part of the provisions Mr. Hoar had brought. 

" Mr. Hoar called them betime to dinner, but they ate but 
little, they being so busy in dressing themselves and getting 
ready for their dance which was carried on by eight of them, 
four men and four squaws ; ray master and mistress being two. 
He was dressed in his hoUand shirt, with great laces sewed at 
the end of it : he had six silver buttons; his white stockings, 
his garters hung round with shillings, and had girdles with 
wampuui upon his head and shoulders. She had a Kersey 
coat covered with girdles of wampum from the loins upward. 
Her arms from her elbows to her hands were covered with 
bracelets ; there were handfuls of necklaces about her neck and 
several sorts of jewels in her ears. She had fine red stockings, 
and white shoes; her hair powdered, and her face painted red, 
that was always before black. And all of the dancers were after 
the same manner. There were two others singing and knock- 
ing on a kettle for their music. 

" On Tuesday morning they called their General Court (as 
they stiled it), to consult and determine whether I should go 
home or no. And they all seemingly consented that I should 
go, except Philip, who would not come among them, 

" Philip called me to him and asked me what I would give 
him to tell me some good news and to speak a good word for 
me that I might go home to-morrow. ' 1 told him I could not 
tell what to give him ; I would any thing I had, and asked him 
what he would have. He said, two coats and twenty shillings 
in money, and half a bushel of seed corn and some tobacco. 
I thanked him for his love, but I knew that good news as well 
as that crafty fox." 



Philip's War. 69 

On the 30th of April, O. S., Mrs. Rowlandson was released 
to Mr. Hoar. 

Mrs. Rowlandson's house at Lancaster, was pleasantly situ- 
ated on the brow or (eminence) of a small hill commanding a 
fine landscape view of a lovely valley with a gentle river, and 
the amphitheatre of the hills to the west, north and east ; it 
was about one-third of a mile south-west of the church. 

The cellar on the side of the house was tilled up about the 
commencement of the present century, at this time also " where 
the garden once was," a number of very aged trees, more or 
less decayed, dating far back in the past to the home of Mrs. 
Rowlandson. 

Hubbard states : — " Mrs, Rowlandson being brought to Bos- 
ton on the election day, May 3d, it was generally looked upon 
as a smile of Providence, and doubtless was a return of prayer 
and answer of faith, with which Mr. Rowlandson had been 
upheld and supported from the day of her captivity ; his two 
children, a son and a daughter, were returned to them from 
their captivity. It is said Mrs. Rowlandson was redeemed for 
£20. 

"Mr. and Mrs. Rowlandson now resided in Charleston and 
Boston, till May, 1677. They removed to Weathersfield, Ct. 
Mr. Rowlandson died before Lancaster was resettled. 

" He had commenced preaching in Lancaster in 165i, became 
established as the clergyman in 1658-1660, and was the minis- 
ter of the town until it was destroyed in Philip's war, 10th of 
February, 1676. 

"Mr. Rowlandson, it is said, was celebrated for his powers 
of entertainment, 'so merry and facete,' that he was the life 
of company and the great wit of his day." 

Mrs. Rowlandson narrates that the South church in Boston, 
hired a house for (us,) and that we received gifts from friends 
and from England, ' that in a little time we might see the 
house furnished with love.' " 



^0 The Records of Oxford. 



CHAPTER YI. 

Extracts from the Narrative of Col. Church of " Philip's 

War." 

" I was beginning a plantation at a place called by the In- 
dians Sogkonate, and since bj the English Little Compton, I 
was the first Englishman that built upon that neck, which was 
full of Indians. Mj head and hands were full about settling a 
new plantation where nothing was brought ; to no preparation 
of dwelling-house, or out-houses, or farming made, horses and 
cattle were to be provided, ground to be cleared and broken up ; 
and the utmost caution to be used, to keep myself free from 
offending my Indian neighbours all around about me."* 

In 1675 Philip's Avar commenced, and Philip the great 
sachem of Mount Hope was sending his messengers to all the 
neighbouring sachems, to engage them in a confederacy with 
him in a war against the English. 

Among others, Philip sent six men to Aswonhoks, Squaw 
Sachem of the Sogkonate Indians, to engage her in his interest. 
*' Aswonhoks so far listened unto them, as to call her subjects 
together ; to make a great dance, which is the custom of that 
nation wheu they advise about momentous affairs. But what 
does Aswonhoks do, but sends away two of her men that well 
understood the English language (Sassaman and George by 
name) to invite Mr. Church to the dance, Mr. Church upon the 
invitation, immediately takes with him Charles Hazelton, his 
tenant's son, who well understood the Indian language and 
went to the place appointed, where they found an hundred of 
Indians gathered together from all parts of her dominions." 

*In 1674 Mr. Church had purchased of the company some of the 
court grant rights, and made a settlement in that portion of Plymouth 
colony next to Rhode Island. 



Colonel Ckur ell's Narrative. yi 

Aswonlioks herself, was leading the dance, but she was no 
sooner sensible of Mr. Church's arrival than she orders him to 
be invited into her presence ; " she told him King Philip had 
sent six men of his with two of her people, who had been over 
at Mount Hope to draw her into a confederacy with him in a 
war with the English, desiring him to give her his advice in 
the case, and to tell her the truth, whether the Umpame men 
(as Philip had told her) were gathering a great army to invade 
Philip's country," He assured her he would tell her the truth, 
and give her his best advice ; then he told her it was but a few 
days since he came from Plymouth, and the English were then 
making no preparation for war, that he was in company with the 
principal gentlemen of the government, who had no discourse 
at all about war and he believed no thought about it. He 
asked her whether she thought he would have brought up his 
goods to settle in that place, if he apprehended entering into 
war with so near a neighbor; she seemed to be somewhat 
convinced by his talk, and slie said she believed he spoke the 
truth. 

Then she called for the Mount Hope men, who made a 
formidable appearance, with their faces painted and their hair 
turned up in comb fashion, with their powder horns and shot 
bags at their backs ; which among that nation is the posture 
and figure of preparedness for war, and then told them what 
Mr. Church had said in answer to it. They were furious 
against the advice of Mr. Church, being joined by Little Eyes, 
one of the queen's council. Mr. Church told her he was sorry 
to see so threatening an aspect of affairs, and stepping to the 
Mount Hopes, he felt of their bags, and finding them tilled 
with bullets, asked them what those bullets were for ; they 
scoffingly replied, " to shoot pigeons with." 

Then he told Aswonlioks he thought it most advisable for 
her to send to the governor of Plymouth, and shelter herself 
and people under his jurisdiction. She liked this advice and 



72 The Records of Oxford. 

desired him to go in her behalf to the Plymouth government, 
which he consented to, and at parting advised her, whatever 
she did, not to desert the English interest, to join with her 
neighbors in a rebellion which would certainly prove fatal to 
her. She thanked him for his advice, and sent two of her men 
to guard him to his house, which when they came there, urged 
him to take care to secure his goods, which he refused, as he 
had decided to move none of his goods from his house, that 
there might not be the least offense given to the Indians by 
such a course of action, but desired them if what they feared 
should happen, they would take care of wliat he left, and di- 
rected them to a place in the woods where they should dispose 
of them, which they faithfully observed. 

Mr. Church then hastened to Pocasset,* where he met with 
Peter Nunuuit, the husband of the queen of Pocasset, who was 
just then come over in a canoe from Mount Hope. Peter told 
him that there would certainly be war ; for Philip had held a 
dance of several w'eeks' continuance and had entertained the 
young men from all parts of the country ; and added tliat 
Philip expected to be sent for to Plymouth to be examined 
al)out Saussaraan's death, who was murdered at Assawomset 
Pond (Middleborough) knowing himself guilty of contriving 
that murder. Peter desired Mr. Church to see his squaw. 
Mr. Church advised her to go to the island and secure herself 
and those with her, and send to the governor of Plymouth. The 
same Peter told him that he saw Mr. James Brown of Swansey 
(one of the magistrates of Plymouth jurisdiction) and his in- 
terpreter and two other men wlio brought a letter from the 
governor of Plymouth to Philip. 

He observed to him further that the young men were very 
eager to begin the war and would have fain killed Mr. Brown 
of Swansey, but Philip prevented it, " telling them his father 

* The mainland over against the easterly end of Rhode Island, where 
now is Tiverton. — Hubbard. 



Colonel CJiurcl^s Narrative. 73 

had charged him to show kindness to Mr. Brown." — Phihp's 
War, page 9 . 

Mr. Church proceeded at once to Plymouth to wait on the 
governor, where he arrived in the morning, though he had en- 
route called on some of the magistrates who were of the coun- 
cil of war to meet him at the governor's house. He gave them 
a statement of what had been communicated to him, which 
caused them to hasten preparations of defence. 

During the month of June, 1676, Captain Church, in 
passing over with a canoe from Pocasset to Rhode Island, 
which he was often accustomed to do, several Indians 
made siorials to him as if to communicate with him ; having 
only one Englishman with him and two Indians, he directed 
them to keep ofi the canoe while he went on shore to speak 
with them. 

The Indians informed him they were weary of fighting for 
Philip, and were resolved to fight for him no longer. 

All they desired of Capt. Church was to acquaint the Gov- 
ernor of their decision, and tliat they would live quietly with the 
English as they had formerly done, and that they would deliver 
up their arms, or would go out with the English if he pleased 
to accept of them and fight for him. They desired further 
conversation with Captain Church and wished him to appoint 
a time and place. He made an appointment with Aswonhoks, 
being three miles off, he told George to inform her, her son 
Peter, their chief captain, and one Nompash, an Indian that 
Capt. Church had formerly much respected to meet him two 
days after, at 12 o'clock, at Seaconet, at a rock at the lower end 
of Captain Richmond's fai-m, which was a very noted place at 
Sogkanate point, and if that day should prove stormy or windy 
they were to expect him the next moderate day. 

In keeping his appointment Capt. Church was accom- 
panied with only his own man and two Indians, and as soon as 
he had landed found Aswonhoks and those he had named to meet 
10 



74 The Records of Oxford. 

him. They successively gave him their hands, and expressed 
themselves glad to see him, and gave him thanks for exposing 
himself to visit tliem. They walked together about a gun 
shot from the water, to a convenient place to sit down, when 
at once rose up a great body of Indians, who had been con- 
cealed in the tall grass and gathered around them till they had 
closed them in, being all armed with guns, spears, hatchets, 
&c., with their hair trimmed and faces painted in their warlike 
appearance. 

It was doubtless somewhat surprising to a gentleman at 
first, but without any visible discovery of it Mr. Church spoke 
to Aswonhoks and told her that a messenger had informed 
him she had a desire to see him and discourse about making 
peace with the English. She assured him she wished to unite 
with the English if the government of Plymouth would firmly 
engage to them that the}'', and all of them and their wives and 
children should have their lives spared and none of them trans- 
ported out of the country they would subject themselves to 
them and serve them in what they were able. 

Capt. Church answered them he was well satisfied the gov- 
ernment of Plymouth would readily concur with what they 
proposed and would sign their articles. 

Capt. Church expressed his pleasure of their return and of 
the former friendship that had been between them. The chief 
captain rose up and expressed the great value and respect he 
had for Mr. Church, and bowing to him said : " Sir, if you'll 
please to accept of me and ray men, and will lead us, we'll 
fight for you and will help you to Philip's head before the In- 
dian corn be ripe." And when he had ended, they all expressed 
their consent to what he said, and told Church they loved him, 
and were willing to go with him and fight for him as long as 
the English had one enemy left in the country. 

" Their friendship ever continued to Mr. Church." Tlien 
Mr. Church proposed unto them that they should select five 



Colonel CJmrcJC s Narrative. 75 

men to go with him to Plymouth; they told him they would 
not choose, but he should take which five he pleased ; finally 
it was agreed they should choose three men and he two. 

They objected that he should travel through the woods, as it 
was unsafe for him and they might lose their friend. 

After Aswonhoks consulted Capt. Church of what course 
she should pursue nothing is related of her until about the close 
of the month of June. A squaw Sachem of Seaconet, one of 
Philip's allies, sent three messengers to the Governor of 
Plymouth, promising submission to the English, on condition 
of life and liberty being granted to her subjects. 

She and her people, some ninety in number, surrendered 
themselves to Major Bradford. 

Capt. Church wrote an account of his interview with the 
Indians, and drew the articles of peace and dispatched Peter 
with them to Plymouth for the governor if approved to sign. 
By midnight Capt. Church was aroused by an express from 
Major Bradford, who was arrived with the army at Pocasset 
to whom Church repaired, he returned to go to Aswonhoks 
and inform her the army was arrived. The next morning the 
whole army marched toward Sogkonate. Capt. Church^with 
a few men went to inform Aswonhoks and her people to come 
to the English camp. He informed her he was come for her 
and her people to Punkatese, where Major Bradford now is 
with the army, expecting her and her subjects to receive orders 
until further notice could be had from the government. 

The next day at twelve o'clock she with her people appeared 
before the English camp at Punkatese. Mr. Church tendered 
to the major to serve under his command, provided the Indians 
might be accepted with him to fight the enemy. 

The major told him his orders were to improve him, but as 
for the Indians he would not be concerned with them. And 
soon ordered Aswonhoks and her subjects to repair to Sand- 
wich to remain so six days. Mr. Church told them he would 



'j6 The Records of Oxford. 

meet them, and that he was confident the governor would 
commission him to improve them. The major hastened to 
send tliem away witli an Indian in front with a flag of truce 
in his hand. 

Mr. Church soon repaired to the governor, who informed 
him he had confirmed all he had promised Aswonhoks, and 
had sent the Indian back who had brought the letter. Capt. 
Church informed the governor of what had passed with Aswon- 
hoks and her subjects. 

Church requested the governor to give him a commission to 
command the Sagkonate Indians to fight Philip. The gover- 
nor assured liim a commission if he would accept it, and get 
good Englishmen enough to make up a good army, 

Mr. Church, on his return to confer with Aswonhoks, after 
crossing Sippecan river (Rochester) he witii his party pro- 
ceeded and crossed another river and opened a great bay, where 
they might see many miles along the shore, where were flats 
and sands ; and hearing a great noise below them toward the 
sea, they dismounted their horses and came near the bank and 
saw a vast company of Indians of both sexes and of all ages, 
some on horseback running races, some at foot ball, some catch- 
ing eels and flat fish in the water, some clamming, etc. Mr. 
Church was soon informed that the Indians belonged to Aswon- 
hoks and her company. Soon a party of Indians all mounted 
on horseback and well armed came riding up to Mr. Church, 
but treated hitn with all due respect. Mr. Church dispatched 
a messenger to Aswonhoks to tell her he was come to meet her 
and that he designed to sup with her in the evening and to 
lodge in her camp that night. Upon their arrival they were 
conducted to a shelter open on one side, Aswonhoks and her 
chiefs received them, and the multitude gave shouts as made 
the heavens to ring. 

It being now about sun setting or near the dusk of the even- 
ing, the Netops came running from all quarters laden with the 



Colonel Chtirc/l' s Narrative. y/ 

tops of dry pines and the like coniUustible matter, making a 
huge pile thereof near JVL'. Church's shelter, on the open side 
thereof; but by this time supper was brought in, in three 
dishes, viz.: a curious young bass in one dish, eels and flat fish 
in a second, and shell fish in a third, but neither bread nor 
salt to be seen at table; but by that time supper was over, the 
mighty pile of pine knots and tops, etc., was fired, and all the 
Indians, great and small, gathered in a ring around it. Aswon- 
hoks and the oldest of the people, men and women mixed, 
kneeling down made the first ring next the fire, and all the 
lust}', stout men standing up made the next, and then all the 
rabble in a confused crew surrounded on the outside. 

Then the chief captain stepped in between the rings and the 
fire with a spear in one hand and a hatchet in the other danced 
around the fire and began to fight with it, making mention of 
all the several nations and companies of Iiidians in the country 
that were enemies to the English, and at naming of every 
particular tribe of Indians, he would draw out and tight a new 
fire-brand, and at finishing his fight with each particular fire- 
brand would bow to him and thank him, and when he had 
named all the several nations and tribes, and fought them all, 
he stuck down his spear and hatchet and came out and another 
stepped in and acted over the same dance with more fury if 
possible than the first, and when about a half a dozen of their 
chiefs had thus acted their parts the captain of the guard 
step]:)ed up to Mr. Church and told him they were making 
soldiers for him, and what they had been doing was all one 
swearing them, and having in that manner engaged all the 
stont, lusty men. Aswonhoks and her chiefs came to Mr. 
Church and told him that now they were all engaged to fight 
for the English, and he might call forth all, or any of them at 
any time as he saw occasion to fight the enemy, and presented 
him with a very fine firelock. Mj-. Church accepts their offer 



7S The Records of Oxford. 

drew out a number of them and set out next morning before 
day for Plymouth, where they arrived the same day,* 

It is to be mentioned that these Indians did not belono- to 
Philip, but were under the Seaconet squaw, who was nearly 
related to Philip, and her subjects had fought for Philip till 
they despaired of any success or good to themselves. But 
these Seaconet Indians ever remained firm in their friendship 
for Col. Church and faithful in the service of the Euirlish. 

Hubbard states, " that Capt. Church with the English, and 
with these Seaconet Indians under his command, from June 
to the last of October following, had subdued by killing or 
making prisoners, seven hundred Indians, and also three hun- 
dred Indians were induced to submit voluntarily to the English 
government." 

Hubbard states, "that this act of these Indians 'broke 
Philip's heart as soon as ever he understood it, so as he never 
rejoiced after or had any success in any of his designs, but lost 
his men one after another till himself at last fell into hands of 
those under Capt. Church's command." 

Many tribes deserting Philip he had returned to Mount 
Hope, his son and his wife were soon after captured, he said, 
" Now my heart breaks ; I am ready to die." 

For through the vigilance and bravery of Capt. Church with 
the Seaconet Indians under his command, Philip was found to 
have returned to his old home at Mount Hope, though deserted 
by most of his followers, still bitter against the English. Here 
he was killed August 12, 1676, by being shot through the heart, 
in the marshes of that place by a Seaconet Indian. Thus fell 
the last chief of the Wampanoags and with his death the 
power of the Indians was destroyed.f 

* Mr, Churcli received a captain's commission July 34, 1676. 
t Tlie sword of Col. Church is still preserved in the Historical Society 
at Boston as a relic of Philip's war. 



Colonel Church'' s Narrative. 79 

On the 28th of August occurred the death of Annawon, 
Philip's great captain and one of his chief counsellors, and his 
death with that of Philip ended this disastrous war.* 

It is said that Philip at the commencement of his rebellion 
had about three hundred fighting men under him, besides 
those that belonged to his kinswoman, Wetamore, drowned 
about Taunton, that had almost as many under her, and one 
Quenoquin, a Narragansett Sachem, that lived near him and 
joined with him in his hatred to the English. 

Mather has this record of James Printer : 

July 8, 1676 ; " Whereas, the council at Boston had lately 
emitted a declaration, signifying that sucli Indians as did 
within fourteen days, come into the English, might hope for 
mercy, divers of them did this day return from among the 
Nipmucks. Among others James, an Indian, who could not 
only read and write, but had learned the art of printing, not- 
withstanding his apostacy, did venture himself upon the mercy 



*Annawon, when made a prisoner by Captain Church, fell upon his 
knees before him and speaking in English said: "Great Captain, 
you have killed Philip and conquered his country, for I believe that I 
and my company are the last that was against the English, so suppose 
the war is ended by your means, and therefore these things belong to 
you." Then opening his pack he pulled out Philip's belt, curiously 
wrought with wampum, being nine inches broad, wrought with white 
and black wampum in various figures and flowers, and pictures of many 
birds and beasts. This when hung ujDon Capt. Church's shoulders 
reached his ankles. 

And another belt of wampum he presented him, wrought in the same 
manner, which Philip was accustomed to place on his head ; it had two 
flags on the back part which hung down on his back, and another small 
belt with a star upon the end of it which he used to hang on his breast, 
and they were all edged with red hair which Annawon said he got in 
the Mohogs country. Then he pulled out two horns of glazed powder 
and a red cloth blanket. He told Capt. Church these were Philip's 
royalties which he was wont to adorn himself with when he sat in state. 

Annawon added he thought himself happy to present them to Capt. 
Church. 



8o The Records of Oxford. 

and truth of the English declaration, which he had seen and 
read, promising for the future to venture his life against the 
common enemy." 

A letter written by a Christian Indian, " supplicating mercy," 
is preserved in one of a series of tracts, first printed in London 
1676. 

This letter was signed by John and other Nipmuck Saga- 
mores, and sent by a j)arty with a white flag, July 6, 1676, 
from Nashaway. 

John subscribed this paper : 

" Mr. John Leveret (Gov. Leveret). — My Loixl, Mr. Waban 
and all the chief men our brethren, praying to God. 

" We beseech you all to help us ; my wife she is but one, 
but there be more prisoners, which we pray you keep well. 

" Mattamuck his wife, we entreat you for her ; and not only 
that man, but it is the request of two Sachems. 

" Sam Sachem of Weshakin 
and Pakashoag Sachem." 

" And that further you will, consider about the making 
peace. We have spoken to the people of Nashobah (viz.: Tom 
Dubler and Peter) that we would agree with you and make a 
covenant of ^^eace with you. 

" We have been destroyed by your soldiers ; but still we 
remember it now, to sit still ; do you consider it again ; we do 
earnestly entreat you that it may be so. 

" By Jesus Christ. 

" O let it be so ! Amen, Amen." 

Mattamuck, his mark N , 
Sam Sachem, his mark Jj". 
Simon Pottoquam, scribe % 
Uppanippaquim, his mark C. 
Pakaskoag, his mark F. 
Mather's History, 43. 
Hubbard's JS'arrative, 101. 



Governor May heiu's Sketch of Philip's War. 8i 

The result of Philip's war was, the whole territory eventually 
became the plantation of the Euglish. 

And yet the country continued to be exposed to the Indian 
raids, instigated by the French, until the close of the French 
war. 



CHAPTER YII. 

Governor Mayhew's Sketch of Philip's War. 

"During the late distressing war between the English and 
the Indians in New England, in the years 1675 and 1676, 
wherein almost all the Indian Nations on the Main were united 
against ns, a censorious Spirit possessed too many of the Eng- 
lish, wliereby they suffered themselves to be unreasonably ex- 
asperated against all the Indians, without distinction. 

" Of such there were some on these Islands, who could hardly 
be so moderated by Governor Mayhew and others in Govern- 
ment with him, as to be restrained from rising to assay the dis- 
arming even these Island Indians ; they being then twenty to 
one of the English, and having Arms. 

" For the Satisfaction of these jealous English, Capt. Rich- 
ard Sarson, Esq ; behig ordered with a small Party to treat 
wnth the Natives on the West End of the Yineyard, who were 
most to be doubted, as being nearest the Continent, about three 
Leagues off, having the greatest Acquaintance and Correspond- 
ence tliere, and being the latest that had embraced Christianity, 
he returns with this wise and amiable Answer, 

"That the delivering their Arras would expose them to the 

Will of the Indians engaged in the present War, who were not 

less their own than Enemies to the English ; that they had 

never given occasion for the Distrust intimated ; that if in 

11 



82 The Records of Oxford. 

any thing not hazarding their Safety they could give any Sat- 
isfaction or Proof of their Friendship and Fidelity, they would 
readily do what should reasonably be demanded of them ; But 
in this Particular, they were unwilling to deliver their Arms, 
unless the English would propose some likely Means for their 
necessary Safety and Preservation. 

" With this Reply, tliey drew a Writing in their own Lan- 
guage, wherein they declared. That as they had submitted 
freely to the Crown of England, so they resolved to assist the 
English on these Islands against their Enemies, which they ac- 
counted equally their own, as Subjects to the same King. 

"And this was subscribed by Persons of the greatest Note 
and Power among them. 

" Having this Return the Governor resolved, and accordingly 
imployed them as a Guard in this time of eminent Danger; 
furnishing tliem with suitable Ammunition, and giving them 
Instructions how to manage for the common Safety. And so 
faithfnl were tiiey, that they not only resolutely rejected the 
strong and repeated Sollicitations of the Natives on the neigh- 
boring Main, but in observance of the general Orders given 
them, when any landed from thence to sollicit them, tho' some 
were nearly related by Mai'riage, and others by Blood, yet the 
Island Indians would immediately bring them before the Gov- 
ernor to attend his Pleasure ; 

" Yea, so entire and firm did their Friendship appear, that 
tho' the War, on account of the Multitudes of Indians then on 
the Main, had a very dismal Aspect ; yet the English on these 
Islands took no care of their own Defence, but left it wholly 
to these Christian Indians to watch for and guard them ; not 
doubting to be advertised by them of any approaching Danger 
from the Enemy. And thus while the War was raging in a 
most dreadful manner thro'out the Neighboring Countries, 
these Islands enjoyed a perfect Calm of Peace; and the Peo- 
ple wrought, and dwelt secure and quiet. 



Governor Mayhexti' s Sketch of Philip's War. 83 

This was tlie genuine and liappy Effect of Mr. Mayliew the 
Governor's excellent Conduct, and of the introduction of the 
Christian Religion among theiu." 

Governor Mahew perfected himself in the Indian language, 
and ordinarily preached in some of the assemblies of the na- 
tives one day every week, sometimes traveling the distance of 
twenty miles through the forest with no English house for 
lodging. 

Rev. James Keith of Bkidgewater. 

His influence and advice with the civil authoiities of the 
colony were considerable. 

In the subject of the capture of Philip's squaw and cliild, 
as to the question of what should be the disposal of the son 
was in consideration, and the opinion of grave divines sought. 
Mr. Keith's opinion, stated in a letter to Rev. Mr. Cotton, in 
favor of mercy and dissenting from most others, had great 
weight indeed if it were not decisive. The life of Philip's son 
was spared.* 

During this war Philip's women and children were made 
prisoners; most of them, it would appear, were brought into 
Boston, as well as the prisoners of war. At first they were as- 
signed to such English families as would receive them as ser- 
vants, but before the war ended they were sent to the West 
Indies to be sold as slaves. Philip's wife and child became 
also the slaves of a West Indian planter. Rev. Mr. EHot made 
his protest at the time but without avail against this additional 

*A letter of Rev. James Keith, dated October 30, 167fi, showing his 
interest upon the subject, is found in the History of Bridgewater. 

Rev. James Keith was from Scotland (one of the Border Clans). The 
name anciently de Keith. He was educated at Aberdeen; he came to 
Boston in 1663, and was introduced to the church of Bridgewater by 
Dr. Increase Mather, whom he ever considered his best friend and 
patron. 



84 TJie Records of Oxford. 

barbarity of the English, "that an Indian princess and her 
child must be banished from the cool breezes of Mount Hope 
and from the wild freedom of a New England forest and con- 
signed to hopeless slavery." 

Fearing, in 1636, that the Narragansett Indians would join 
the Feqnots in hostilities against the English, and to perpetu- 
ate a peace between the colonies and the Narragansetts, the 
governor sent a messenger to Miantonomo, their chief sachem 
(a nephew of Canonicns), to invite him to Boston.* 

" Miantonomo, the Sachem of the Narrhagansets, came to 
Boston (being sent for by the Governor), with two of Canoni- 
cus's sons and another Sachen), and near twenty of their men. 
The Governor, having notice by Cushamakin, the Massachu- 
setts Sachem, sent twenty musketeei's to Roxbury to meet them. 
They came to Boston about noon, where the Governor had 
called together all the Magistrates and Ministers to give coun- 
tenance to their proceedings, and to advise about the terms of 
peace. After dinner, Miantonomo declared what he had to say 
to theTn in several propositions, which were to this effect, that 
they had always loved the English, and now desired a firm 
peace with them, and that they wonld continue war with the 
Pequots and their confederates, till they were subdued, and 
desired the English would do so too; Promising to deliver 
their enemies to them or kill them, and two months after to send 
them a present. The Governor told them they should have 
an answer the next morning, which was done, upon articles 
subscribed by him, and they also subscribed with him, wherein 
a tirm peace was concluded. — Hubbard's Indian Wars, p. 25. f 

*The Pequot war in the colony of Connecticut in 1637. 

t Corn court leads off from Faneuil Hall square on the south of 
the hall. Here in early times was a public corn market, situated at 
the water's edge. In this court, now shut in by high business blocks, 
stands an inn Avhich makes the boast of being the oldest in Boston. 
Samuel Cole kept tavern here in 1634, and under many succeeding land- 



A Letter to Sir Henry Vane. 85 

Faithful in his misfortunes, Rev. Roger Williams sent a let- 
ter to Sir Henry Yane, governor of the Massachusetts and 
warned liim of the impending danger from the Pequots, and 
volunteered his services to defeat the conspiracy if possible. 
In the governor's reply Mr. Williams was urged to use his 
utmost endeavors to prevent the threatened alliance of the Pe- 
quots with the Nai'ragansetts. 

Mr. Williams plead with Canonicus the chief of the Narra- 
gansetts, and with Miantonomo, his nephew and heir, to stand 
fast in their allegiance with the English, for the Pequots made, 
an effort to have the Narragan setts and Mohegau Indians join 
them and exterminate the English. 

Previously to the Pequot war the Naragansetts, the most 
numerous of the Indian nations, were wavering in their alle- 
giance to the English and hesitated in joining them against the 
Pequots. They, however, decided in favor of the English. 

Roger Williams in a letter to Major Mason, gave an account 
of his services to the colonies of Massachusetts and Plj^nouth, in 
regard to the Indians, as follows : " In accordance with letters 
received from the Governor and Council of Boston, requesting 
me to use my utmost and speediest endeavors to break and 
hinder the league labored for by the Pequots and the Mohegans 
against the English, the Lord helped me immediately to take 
my life in my hand, and scarcely acquainting my wife, to ship 
myself all alone in a poor canoe, and cut through.a stormy wind, 
great seas, every minute in hazard of my life, to the Sachem's 
home. Three days and nights my mission forced me to lodge 

lords the house has afforded shelter and entertainment to many dis- 
tinguished people. 

When Miantonomo, the Narragansett chief, was entertained by Grov- 
ernor Vane in 1630, he, and twenty of his followers, were banquetted in 
the tavern. Landlord Cole was a substantial citizen, a selectman of the 
town and a charter member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery 
Company. 



86 The Records of Oxford. 

and mix with the bloody Peqnot, ambassadors ; whose liands 
methought, reeked with tlie blood of countrymen massacred on 
Connecticut river. I could not but nightly look for their 
bloody knives at my own throat likewise." " God wondrously 
preserved me, and helped me to defeat the Pequot negotia- 
tions and designs, and to promote and finish, by many travels 
and charges the English league with the Narragansetts and 
Moliegans against the Pequots." 

" When the English forces marched through the liarragan- 
sett country, against the Pequots, I gladly entertained at my 
home in Providence, General Stoughton and his oiScers.''* 

In 1642 letters from the Connecticut court and from two of 
their magistrates came to Boston, stating that it was feared 
the Narragansett Indians were conspiring against the English 
colonies, "being influenced by Miantonomo, who was of a 
haughty spirit and aspiring mind, the heir apparent of all the 
Narragansett nations after the death of the old Sachem, Ca- 
nonicus, who was his uncle." Mr. Hubbard describes Mian- 
tonomo " as a very goodly personage, of tall stature, as well as 
haughty in his designs." 

" The governor and the magistrates, as many as could con- 
vene together before the court, ordered that all the Indians 
within their jurisdiction should be disarmed, which they will- 
ingly yielded unto." Miantonomo was sent unto, and by his 
readiness to appear satisfied the English that he was innocent 
of a conspiracy. 

But Miantonomo returned to his home dissatisfied at the 
treatment he received from the English, who regarded him as 
a culprit, and refusing to him a seat. Notwithstanding the 
treaty signed at Hartford, Miantonomo in 1643, engaged in 
war with the Moliegans and was made a prisoner by Uncas 
and taken to Hartford. 

*Z. Allen, LL. D. 



Governor Winthrop'' s Journal. 87 

The magistrates of Hartford having no cause of complaint 
against the Narragansett chief, advised that tlie whole affair 
should be referred to the commissioners of the United colonies, 
who assembled in Boston, September, 16-18. 

" "Was MiantoTiomo to be punished because he had disre- 
garded the treaty by neglecting to notify the English that he 
proposed to make war upon Uncas % " But this was not true 
according to Winthrop's own testimony ; in his journal Win- 
throp had recorded, " Miantonomo sent to Mr. Haynes at Hart- 
ford to complain of ' Onkus;'" and Governor Haynes had re- 
phed " that the English had no hand in it, nor VYould encour- 
age them." 

"Miantonomo gave notice hereof also to our governor," 
Winthrop himself continues the journal, and the chief was told 
to take his own course. Miantonomo took his own course. 
" In this difKculty," says Winthrop, after giving the decision 
of the commissioners, " m'c called in five of the most judiciuus 
elders (it being the time of the general assembly of the elders), 
and propounded the case to them. They all agreed that he 
ought to be put to death." 

Winthrop's statement of the commissioners is that they 
"taking into consideration what was safest and best to be 
done, were all of opinion that it M'ould not be safe to set him 
(Miantonomo) at liberty. Neither had we sufficient ground 
for us to put him to death." 

" There were found no criminal allegations against Mian- 
tonomo and nothing worthy of death had been done by him, 
and yet it was decided to take his life without committing a 
crime worthy of death. There was word sent to Hartford to 
deliver over Miantonomo to Uncas to be massacred." 

The death of the brave Miantonomo in 1643 by Uncas the 
Mohegan, with the consent of the English, had resulted in an 
implacable malice between the rival Indians and a deeper 
enmity toward the English, as his life was sacrificed through 
their influence. 



88 TJie Records of Oxford. 

Philip's War. 

Rev. Roger "Williams states the Narragansett Indians had 
been restrained until their treatment had become too offensive 
to endure as is testified to in an official message sent to Governor 
Wiuthrop in Connecticut, by the Legislature of Rhode Island, 
dated October 26, 1696, and certified at Newport by the Sec- 
retary of State, as follows : 

" We believe that if matters come to a just enquiry concern- 
ing the cause of the Indian War, that our Narragansett Sachems 
were subjects to his Majesty, and by his Commissioners were 
taken under his protection, and put under our government. 
They manifested to us their submission by appearing whenever 
sent for." 

" Neither was there any manifestation of war against us 
from them ; but always the contrary, until the United Colonies 
forced them to war, or to such submissions as it seems they 
could not submit to. The United Colonies (Plymouth, Mas- 
sachusetts and Connecticut), thus involved us in these hazards, 
charges and losses, to our outer Plantations." 

" The Narragansetts and Mohawks are the two greatest na- 
tions of Indians in this country. They have been confederates, 
and are both, as yet, firmly and peaceably disposed to the Eng- 
lish. I do humbly conceive, in case of imavoidable war with 
either of them, to make sure of the one as a friend." 

" The Narragansetts have ever continued friendly from the 
first, and they have been true to you in the Pequot War, and 
induced the Mohegans to come in. Then ensued the downfall 
of the Pequots." 

During the Pequot war in 1637, Rhode Island was protected 
by the friendly Narragansetts.* 



*In 1643 was formed the union of New England; Providence and 
Rhode Island both pleaded for admission. 

Rev. Roger Williams was sent to Loudon. He was welcomed by his 



Rev. Roger Williams in London, 89 

The English colony of Plymouth were hospitably received 
by the natives on their arrival to this country. The first na- 
tive Indian who visited them greeted them kindly in a few 
English words which he had learned from fisherman and other 
voyagers on the coast of Maine. Some accounts state that this 
native Indian had been kidnapped by Capt. Hunt in 1614, and 
had been taken to England and sold into slavery, but had found 
his way back to his native land. 

Soon after the first settlement of the English colony at 
Plymouth, Massasoit, " the chief Sachem of all that side of 
the country," came to the English at Plymouth, March 16, 
1621, and entered into a treaty with them. 

" In the autumn, nine of the neighboring Sachems came in 
and made a treaty of peace, and agreed to become subjects of 
the King of Great Britain." 

This compact entitled them to be treated as fellow-subjects. 

Massasoit, though a native Indian, possessed the elements of 
a great and noble mind and a generous heart. His character 
is without reproach as it regards his treatment of the English 
from the time he arrived at Plymouth to extend to them his 
friendship, till the time of his death in 1661; in all this period 

steadfast friend Sir Henry Vane (who) was now an influential member of 
parliament. He obtained a charter. He visited London a second time 
and was successful in his efforts to prevent a separation of Rhode Island 
from the common government. The people wished him to be commis- 
sioned by the English Council as governor of the province. He de- 
clined to accept the tempting commission. 

Roger Williams was a native of Wales, born in 1606, educated at 
Cambridge, England ; the pupil of Sir Edward Coke, in after years the 
personal friend of Milton. 

The lands which he received from Canonicus and Miantonomo were 
freely distributed among the colonists, only two small fields to be tilled 
and planted by his own hands, and kept by the founder for his own 
plantation. 

12 



90 The Records of Oxford. 

in not a single instance did lie depart from the agreements of 
the treaty which he made with the Euglish.* 

Mr. Edward Winslow stated in a letter to a friend in Eng- 
land : 

" We have found the Indians very faithful in their covenants 
of peace with us, very loving and ready to pleasure us. We 
go with them in some cases, fifty miles into the country ; and 
walk as safely and peaceably in the woods, as in the highways 
in England. We entei'tain them familiarly in our houses ; and 
they are friendly iu bestowing their venison upon us. 

" They are a people without religion yet very trusty, quick of 
apprehension, humorous and just." — Z. Allen's Address, p. 15. 

In 1622, Mr. Weston, a merchant of London, having pro- 
cured for himself a patent for a tract of land in Massachusetts 
Bay of the London. Stock Company, he sent two ships with 
fifty men or more, at his own expense, to form a settlement at 
Weymouth. 

Morton states : " The Indians complained of them for steal- 
ing their corn, and that they care not for the rule of right." 

Governor Bradford wrote to the manager of the Weston 
Colony, warning him against such doings. " Early in the 
spring Gov. Bradford received information that the Massachu- 
setts Indians had entered into a conspiracy to drive away the 

* Old records of the times state that Massasoit, when he came 
to make the treaty with the English at Plymouth, was distinguished 
from the other natives with him only by " a string of white bone beads 
about his neck ; his face was painted of a sod red, and both face and 
head were profusely oiled." 

Massasoit, also called Osemequin, Sachem of the Wampanoags, at his 
death was succeeded by his son, Wamsutta, called by the English name 
of Alexander, who had no affection toward the English, neither to their 
persons nor their religion, but had endeavored to influence the Narragan- 
setts to rise against the English. At his death his brother Philip, known 
as Metacomet, succeeded him, and was called generally for his haughty 
and ambitious spirit King Philip. 



A Letter from Holland. 91 

English of the Weston Colony including the Plymouth settle- 
ment. Massasoit, grateful for the kindness he had received 
from the English, advised them as the only means of safety to 
take the lives of the conspirators, which Capt. Miles Standish 
effected. 

When the news of this affair reached Holland, Mr. Robin- 
son, the pastor, wrote: " Concerning the killing of these poor 
Indians, of which we heard at first by reporte, and since by 
more certaine relation. ' Oh, how happy a thing had it been if 
you had converted some before you had killed any ; besides 
where blond is one begune to be shed, it is seldome stanched 
for a long time after.' " 

In the same letter to Captain Standish, " Let me be bould," 
he adds, "to exhorte you seriously to consider of the disposi- 
tion of your Captaine, whom I love, and am persuaded the 
Lord in great mercie and foi- much good hath sent you him, if 
you use him aright. 

" Ther is cause to fear that by occasions espectially of provo- 
cation, ther may be wanting that tenderness of the life of man 
made after God's image which is meete." 

It is said, the Indians have ever been distinguished for 
friendship, justice, magnanimity and a high sense of honor, but 
their revenge for real or supposed injury was implacable ; any 
act of kindness received by them was never to be forgotten, 
but returned, however distant the opportunity. 

The same noble traits of character are now to be found in the 
native red men of this country as in the time of Governor 
May hew, Rev. Roger Wilhams and Rev. John Eliot. 

The late Hon. Zachariah Allen, LL.D., of Providence, R. 
I.,* in response to an address before the Historical Society of 
Rhode Island, April 10, 1876, in which he delineated the In- 
dian character so truthfully, recognizing their love of justice 



* Hon. Zachariah Allen waa president of the Historical Society of 
Rhode Island. 



92 The Records of Oxford. 

and appreciation of kindness, he invoked sympathy for their 
sufferings. 

Mr. Allen had the satisfaction of receiving the official con- 
gratulations of two distinct tribes of Indians in the Dominion of 
Canada. The Ojibways and the Pattawatomies, who in their 
distant lodges sent him their thanks and congratulations. 

The Ojibways returned their thanks and congratulations to 
Mr. Allen as their friend. 

"At a council of Indians (Pattawatomies), the chiefs, coun- 
cillors and principal men and warriors wish to thank Mr. 
Allen for his kindness, and express our pleasure at finding the 
Red men have such a good and faithful friend as Mr. Allen. 
We all, both men, women and children, shake hands in our 
hearts with Mr. Allen. 

" May 24, 1877. 

" Their names and totems are affixed to the official letters." 
— Life of Hon. Z. Allen. 



A Poem. 93 



A POEM. 

"Ye say they all have passed away, 

That ancient race and brave ; 

That their light canoes have vanished 

From off tlie crested wave ; 

That 'mid the forests, where they roamed, 

There rings no hunter's shout. 

But their names are on your waters, 

Ye may not wash them out. 

" Their memory lingers on your hills, 
Their baptism on your shore ; 
Your everlasting rivers speak 
Their dialect of yore. 
Old Massachusetts wears it, 
Within her lordly crown, 
And broad Ohio bears it, 
'Mid all her young renown. 

" Connecticut hath wreathed it 
Where her quiet foliage waves. 
And bold Kentucky breathed it, 
Through all her ancient caves. 
Monad noc, on his forehead hoar, 
Upholds the sacred trust ; 
The mountains are their monuments. 
Though ye destroy their dust. 

"Think ye the Eternal's ear is dull. 
His sleepless vision dim ? 
Think ye He'll fail in justice full. 
To the wronged who call on Him? " 

L. H. SiGOURNKT. 



94 The Records of Oxford. 

CHAPTER YIII. 

Chapters of "Huguenot History." 
1515-1547. 

Francis de Valois, Count of Angoul^me, ascended the throne 
of France as the successor of Louis XII, in 1515, 

The reign of Francis I, commences the era of modern France, 
in the development of the arts, especially architecture and 
sculpture, of which Francis was the lavish patron. 

French literature in the sixteenth century was revived in 
France. Francis had a sympathy with learned men ; they 
received special marks of his favor. 

In 1493 Jacques Lefevre, a professor in the University at 
Paris, who had taken his degree as doctor in theology, gave 
great attention to the study of the Bible and evangelical knowl- 
edge. Thus a new life and a new doctrine had penetrated the 
University. 

During the reign of Francis I, the doctrines of Martin 
Luther, the great German Reformer, had gained an entrance 
into France, but the Reformation had for nearly half a century 
been established in England. 



Note. — These remarkable men, called the "Reformers," commenced 
with John de Wycliflfe, an English Reformer, born in 1324, and died 
December 31, 1384, at the rectory of Lutterworth. Wycliffe was educated 
at the university of Oxford. During the reign of Edward III and 
Richard II, he preached the doctrines of the Reformation. * Richard 
withdrew his influence, which had been in favor of Wycliffe, when God 
(says the annalist) withdrew his hand from him. Richard, after being 
deposed, was confined at Pontefract castle where he soon terminated his 
life. 

At the commencement of the fifteenth century, a few miles from 
Rochester, stood Cowling Castle in the midst of lovely meadows watered 
by the Medway. 

"The fair Medwaya that with wanton pride, 
Forma silver mazea with her crooked tide." 



Huguenot History. 95 

In this quiet retreat resided Sir John Old Castle, Lord Cob- 
ham, a gentlemen in great favor with Henry IV. Lord 
Cobham defended the doctrines of Wycliffe with his sword, 
saying he would not submit to decrees as dishonor to the ever- 
lasting Testament. Thus died a Christian, illustrious after the 
fashion of his time. 

During the reign of Henry VIII, Oxford and London did 
homage to the learned Erasmus, but he was dethroned by 
Luther, the monk of Wittemberg. " Luther and Calvin do 
not appear in England, but ships from the harbors of the Low 
Countries brought Luther's books to London. In Henry VIII 
reign, 1525, or later, the universities, the rectories, and the 
palaces, as well the cottages and the shops of the tradesmen, 
desired to possess the scriptures." 

Subsequently to Luther, John Calvin, the French Reformer's 
writings, were still more widely disseminated in France. 

Francis I endeavored to oppose them by prohibiting all 
'books of Luther and Calvin from his kingdom, and by penal 
laws and capital punishment to suppress the reformed religion. 

Francis I died in 154Y, at the age of fifty-three. 

In 1529, during the war between France and Germany, two 
ladies were permitted to restore peace to Europe. Margaret of 
Austria, aunt to Emperor Charles V, of Germany, and Louisa, 
mother to Francis I, of France, met at Cambrai and settled 
the terms of pacification between the French king and the 
emperor. The peace of Cambrai was called " The ladies' 
peace." 

In 1544, Francis and Charles, tired of harassing each other, 
concluded at Cressy a treaty of peace. 



Note. — Martin Luther, in speaking of his own delighted use of the 
Lord's Prayer, wrote that his custom in private was to take its separate 
petitions, one by one, and to enlarge upon them; and he says: "And so 
I have often learned more in one prayer, than I could have from much 
reading and composing." 



96 The Records of Oxford. 

During this period from the peace of Cambrai, 1529, to that 
of Cressj in 1544, the Reformation had gained much ground 
in Germany. 

The Emperor Charles V, appointed a diet of the empire to 
be held at Spire. The diet issued a decree confirming the edict 
published against Luther at Worms. 

Against this decree as unjust, the Elector of Saxony, the 
Landgrave of Hesse, the Duke of Lunenburg, the Prince 
Anhalt, together with the deputies of fourteen imperial or free 
cities of Germany, entered into a protest. 

On that account they were called Protestants, a name that 
has since become common to all who have receded from the 
church of Rome. 

At the diet of Augsburg the Protestants of Germany 
presented their system of opinions as composed by Philip 
Melancthon, a gentleman of most finished education and extrem- 
ely graceful as a public orator, and withal a lenient Reformer. 

This system known as the Confession of Augsburg, from 
the place where it was presented, was publicly read in the diet. 

A decree was issued against the Protestant tenets, which 
caused the Protestant princes to assemble at Smalkalde and 
there concluded a league of mutual defense. 

The companion of Francis I was his sister Marguerite of 
Valois, Queen of Navarre. A princess narrates, Brantome (the 
courtly historian), of " vigourous understanding and great en- 
dowments, both natural and acquired." 

The most learned men in the Kingdom acknowledged 
Marguerite their patroness. When ambassadors from foreign 
countries had presented themselves at the French court, they 
were accustomed to wait on Marguerite. They were greatly 
pleased with her — and on leaving France the fame of her 
extended to other countries, so states Brantdrae, and he adds : 
" The king would often submit to her matters of importance, 
leaving them to her decision." 



Huguenot History. gy 

Marguerite de Yalois, sister to Francis I, was educated " with 
strictness by a most excellent and most venerable dame, in 
whom all the virtues at rivalry, one with another, existed to- 
gether." [Madame de Chantillon, whose deceased husband 
had been governor to King Charles VIII.] Marguerite was 
provided with every kind of preceptors, who made her profi- 
cient in profane letters, as they were then called. She learned 
Latin, Greek, philosophy, and especially theology. " She had a 
heart," says Brantome, " devoted to God, and she loved mightily 
to compose spiritual songs." — History of France, M, Guizot. 

Marguerite, seeking for some natural emblem which might 
express the wants and affections of her soul, took, says Bran- 
tome, that of the tlower of the marigold, " wliich, by its cor- 
olla and leaves, has the greatest affinity with the sun, and fol- 
lows it wherever it goes." She added the following device : 
" I follow not the things below." 

"To testify," adds the courtly writer, "that she directed all 
her actions, thoughts, wishes and affections to this great Sun, 
which was God." 

She is one of the most remarkable characters of history. 
Neither Germany nor England presents such a picture as Mar- 
guerite of Valois. 

Marguerite, while residing at the court of her brother, ob- 
tained the books and small treatises called, in the fashion of 
the time, " Tracts of Luther," and became a Protestant. Thus, 
amid the brilliancy of the court of Francis I, was one of those 
conversions of the heart which in every age are produced by 
the word of God. The opinions and influence of Marguerite 
had no small share in extending the doctrines of the Reforma- 
tion in the kingdom of France. 

Marguerite, at one time, had so much influence on Francis I, 
her brother, as to engage him to hear the great Eeformer, 
MeJancthon, preach the Reform doctrines, but through the 
persuasion of Cardinal de Tournon, Francis dechned. 
13 



98 The Records of Oxford. 

Marguerite extended to Calvin her protection ; slie invited 
him to her court receiving him with distinguished kindness. 

Marguerite, in deep sadness at the course of Francis, wrote 
a book, entitled ''^ Mirroir de Vdme pcchereuse'''' ("The Mir- 
ror of a sinful soul "), which was supposed to reflect a likeness 
of her brother. 

Marguerite had visited Spain to attend her brotlier, Fi'ancis 
I, when at Madrid, sick and a prisoner of Charles V, having 
been taken in the battle of Favia, Februarj^, 1525. 

It was through her influence that the Emperor had treated 
her brother according to his rank, and Anally restored him to 
his kingdom. 

Attending the court, in its progress tlirongh the provinces, 
she employed herself in describing the manners of the time, 
and especially those of the priests and monks. " On these 
occasions," continues Brantorae, " I often used to hear her 
recount stories to my grandmother, who constantly accompanied 
her in her litter, as dame d'honneur, and had charge of her 
writing desk." 

According to some we have here tlie origin of the Hepta- 
meron ; but more I'ecent and esteemed critics have satisfied 
themselves that Marguerite had no hand in forming that col- 
lection, in some parts chargeable with worse than levity, but 
that it was the work of Desperiers. 

In the Kevue des Deux Mondes M. Ch. Nodier, LXX, p. 350. 

" Desperiers is in reality and almost exclusively author of 
the Heptameron. I scruple not to say I have no doubt of this, 
and entirely coincide in the opinion of Bonistuan, who, solely 
on this account, omitted and withheld the name of the Queen 
of Navarre." 

'' If as I think. Marguerite did compose some tales, doubtless 
the most harmless of those in the Heptameron, it must have 
been in her youth — just after her marriage with the Duke of 
Alen9on (1509)." — D'Aubigny. 



Huguenot History. oo 

" Every one loved her," narrates Brantome. For "she was 
very kind, gentle, condescending, charitable, very easy of access, 
giving away much in alms, overlooking no one but winning all 
hearts by her gracious deportment," 

In 1534, Clement Marot, accused of heresy, sought the pro- 
tection of Renee in Ferrara. He met Calvin in Ferrara, who 
was engaged on a translation of the Psalms in verse. 

Marot translated thirty of the Psalms and dedicated them to 
Francis I, who not only accepted the dedication, but recom- 
mended the work and the author to Charles Y, " who accepted 
the translation graciously, commended it both by words and 
by a present of two hundred doubloons, which he made to 
Marot, thus giving him courage to translate the rest of the 
Psalms, and praying him to send him as soon as possible the 
Psalm (Trust in the Lord, for He is good), so fond was he of it." 

Singular sympathy between Charles Y, and his great ad- 
versary, Luther, who said of that same Psalm, " It is my friend." 

Marot published in 1541 the first thirty Psalms; in 1543, he 
added twenty others, and dedicated the collection " to the ladies 
of France." 



Note.— " The Psalms, translated into French metre by CUment Marot, 
were set to music by Goudimel, and became extremely popular in the 
salons of Paris, and at the palace of the Louvre. It is said, that they 
greatly aided the Protestant cause, and induced people to read the Script- 
ures, from which the beautiful poetry was drawn which so much 
charmed their imaginations." 



100 The Records of Oxford. 



CHAPTER IX. 

1547-1559. 

Henry II, succeeded his father Francis I, as King of France. 
He married Catherine, the daughter of Lorenzo de Medici, 
Duke of Urbino. 

Catherine assumed an important part in the government of 
France. She fascinated all strangers bv her elegant manners 
and great personal beauty, but was noted for her powers of 
dissimulation of character and her cruelty of disposition. 

The preamble to the edict of Chdteaubriand, issued in 1551, 
declares that all efforts to suppress heresy had failed, and that 
it required the severest measures " to conquer the willfulness 
and obstinacy of that wretched sect, and to clear the kingdom 
of them." Edict after edict was issued against them. 

In June, 1559, Henry II issued a decree by which the judges 
were bound to sentence all Lutherans to death, and this decree 
was published and confirmed by all the parliaments. 

Henry II was succeeded by his son Fi-ancis II, a youth of 
sixteen years, who was married to Mary, Queen of Scotland, 
who had been sent to France in her childhood to be educated. 
Francis assured his mother she should administer the govern- 
ment in his name. But the house of Lorraine and Bourbon 
were not disposed to favor that a woman from a foreign coun- 
try should control the government of France. 

In 1560, the balance of power betw^een the two parties at 
the French court was so equally divided it was now doubtful 



Note. — lu the reign of Henry II, the term Huguenot was applied to 
all opponents of the Catholic Church of France and Holland. They 
were so designated during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 
The name of Huguenot was one of reproach. Tliis term, as ajiplied to 
the Protestants of France, is of uncertain origin. 

In public documents they were styled of the "new religion," or " Re- 
formed " (or of the Reformed church). 



Huguenot History. • loi 

if the Huguenots would not control the government of France, 
as the strife between the parties had divided the kingdom. 

The Keformation had great leaders, men who had power 
and were experienced in the affairs of the world. The Prot- 
estants had now become formidable bj their numbers, leaders 
and influence. 

"In 1558, the Venetian ambassador stated the number of 
the Reformers at four hundred thousand. In 1559, at the 
death of Henry II, Claude Haton, a contemporary chronicler, 
on the Catholic side, stated that the Reformers composed a 
fourth of the population of France." — French History, Guizot. 

In 1559, the Queen of Navarre, Jeanne d'Albret, the 
daughter of Queen Marguerite, became passionately devoted 
to the faith and cause of the Reformation. Brantome says, in 
her early youth " she was as fond of a ball as of a sermon." 
Her husband, Anthony de Bourbon, and his brother Louis de 
Bourbon, Prince of Conde, became devoted to the cause of the 
Reformation. Admiral de Coligni openly identified himself 
in the cause. 

On the death of Francis II (1561), Catherine de Medici, the 
Queen mother, was appointed guardian to her son Charles IX, 
only ten years of age at his accession, and invested with the 
administration of the kingdom, though not with the title of 
regent. 

Catherine attempts to govern France by balancing the Cath- 
olics against the Protestants, in consequence of her maxim, 
" divide and govern." 

When, in 1562, the edict of January was given, there was 
an effort made to induce the Queen to evade the edict ; in de- 
clining, the Queen made reply, " that the Calvinists were a 
powerful party." 

The edict of January gave to the Huguenots a formal ap- 
proval under the authority of the royal seal. The Catholic 
church denounced the government. A Franciscan monk 



I02 TJie Records of Oxford. 

reading the royal ordinance in his church of Saint Croix, in 
Provins, remarked, " Well, now gentlemen of Provins, what 
mnst I and the other preachers of France do ? Must we obey 
this order ? What sliall we tell you % What shall we preach ? 
* The gospel,' Sir Huguenot will say," adding, stating to his 
own view the errors of Martin Luther, and Calvin, and 
other preachers of erroneous doctrines, " Is not this preaching 
the Gospel ? " 

The " Edict of January " was soon followed by the massacre 
of Yassy, under the Duke of Guise, this was the first aggres- 
sive step which caused the first civil war in France. These 
civil wars desolated the kingdom for over thirty years, only 
interrupted by occasional truces, almost to the close of the six- 
teenth century. 

The Prince of Conde, Louis de Bourbon, was the leader of 
the Huguenots, and he demanded the punishment of the Duke 
of Guise as the author of the massacre of Vassy, and sent to 
the Admiral Coligni to solicit his support. Coligni was at 
his pleasant castle of Chdtillon-sur-Loing, surrounded by his 
young family. The admiral continued to hesitate before joining 
him, it was the fear of initiating a " Civil War." 

" Peace was far distant," — peace, which Coligni preferred 
to his own life, but would not purchase it dishonorably by the 
sacrifice of civil liberty or his Protestant faith. Many persons 
of the highest rank in France, at this time came forward and 
declared themselves to be Protestants, those of large influence 
and of extensive landed possessions. 

The Huguenots had now rendered themselves masters of 
cities in almost every French province. Many of the nobility 
were included in their number, among whom was the Count 
de la Rochefoucauld, the Earl of Montgomery, and others of 



Note.— "Mem. — de Claude Haton," 211, 213. 

"The Eise of the Huguenots of France." — Prof. Baird. 



Hugiienot History. 103 

high station. One of the Chatillon, Francois d'Andelot, a 
younger brother of the Admiral Coligni, Colonel-General of 
the French infantry, whom the army had snrnanied " La Clieva- 
lier sans peur," (the knight without fear.) 

" The Cardinal Odet de Chatillon, elder brother of Admiral 
Coligni, under the suspicion that he was a Protestant, he is cited 
by the Pope's nev) nuncio to appear at Rome, he demanded the 
red cap taken from the Cardinal. The Constable de Mont- 
morency at his palace of Chantilly, espoused his defense, I am 
myself a papist ; my nephew shall leave neither cap nor dignity, 
seeing the King's edict gives him that liberty, if otherwise, ' my 
sword shall be a Huguenot.' " 

In 1563 the two Montmorencys, the Constable and his son, 
the Marshal, espoused Coligni's cause as their own, publicly 
declaring that any blow aimed at tlie Chatillons, save by legal 
process, they would regard and avenge as aimed at tliemselves. 

The edict of Amboise was a half way measure, neither was 
the accord acceptable to Catholic or Protestant. 

The peace of Amboise terndnated tlie first civil war. The 
royal edict of Pacification was signed March, 1563. 

" The prince (Conde) and the Admyrall," wrote the special 
envoy Middlemore to Queen Elizabeth, " have been twice with 
the queue mother since my commynge hyther, where the 
admirall hath bene very earnest for a further and larger 
lybertye in the course of religion, and so hath obtayned that 
there shall be preachings within the townes in every valliage, 
whereas before yt was accordyd but in the suburbs of townes 
only, and that the gentyl men of the visconte and provoste ot 
Parys shall have in theyr houses the same lybertye of religion 
as ys accordyd elz where. So as the sayd Admyrall doth now 
seame to lyke well inoughe that he shewyd by the waye to 
mislyke so muche, which was the harde articles of religion con- 
cludyd upon by the prince in his absence." 

Letter from Orleans, March 30, 1563. 



I04 The Records of Oxford. 

MSS. State Papers Office. 

Due d'Aumale, Vol. I, 411. 
" Rise of the Huguenots," Vol. II, 117. 

Elizabeth of England was greatly interested in the state of 
affairs in France. 

And new troops would have entered France from the Ger- 
man borders " This da}' " writes Cecil To Sir Thomas Smith, 
ambassador at Paris, Feb. 27, 1562-3, 

" Commission passeth hence to the comte of Oldenburg to 
levy eight thousand footemen and four thousand horse, who 
will, I truste passe into France with spede and corradg. He 
is a notable, grave and puissant captayn, and fully bent to hazard 
his life in tlie cause of religion." 

Th. Wright 
Queen Elizabeth and her Time. 

But Elizabeth's troops, like Elizabeth's money, came too late. 

Of the latter Admiral Coligni plainly told Smith a few weeks 

later : " If we could have had the money at Newhaver (Havre) 

but one XIII dales sooner, we wonld have talked with them 

after another sorte, and would not have been contented w^ith 

this accord." 

Due d'Aumale, I, 439. 

In 1569 the Prince of Conde was killed at the battle of Jarnac. 
Coligni now placed the young Henry of Navarre, only sixteen 
years of age, and the young Prince of Conde, at the head of 
the Protestant party. 

Admiral Coligni was assassinated previous to the massacre 
of Paris. 

" Thus says Davila, died the Admiral Gaspard de Coligni, 
who had filled the Kingdom of France with the glory and terror 
of his name for the space of twelve years." 

Fleury 24, 45, states the heirs of Coligni were permitted to 
enter into their estates. 



Huguenot History. 105 

The Massacre of Paris on St. Bartliolomew's Day occurred 
August 2 i, 1572, a striking picture of wliieli is drawn by Fenelon, 
the French ambassador at the court of England, in his account of 
his first audience after that barbarous transaction. " A gloomy 
sorrow," says he, " sat on every face; silence, as in the dead of 
night reigned through all the chambers of the royal apartment ; 
the ladies and courtiers clad in deep mourning were ranged on 
each side ; and as I passed by them, in my approach to the 
queen, not one bestowed on me a favorable look, or made the 
least return to my salutations." — From Fenelon's Despatches. 

" La Rochelle the stronghold of the Huguenots, before 
which in a naanner was assembled the whole force of France, 
became now the theatre of a civil war, she shut her gates and 
sustained a siege of eight months. 

" During the siege the citizens repelled nine general and 
twenty pai'ticular assaults, and obliged the Duke of Anjou who 
conducted the attack, and lost twenty-four thousand men, to 
grant them an advantageous treaty of Pacification in 1573.* 
Thus ended the fourth civil war." 

Charles IX died at the youthful age of twenty-five years ; 
he was succeeded by his brother, the Duke of Anjou, as Henry 
III, wdio was also in extreme youth. 

The south of France was at this time filled with Protestants, 
and many were found in the northern provinces. 

Henry III and Catherine his mother, failed in establishing 
peace with their government for fifteen years. 

During this time different parties were aspiring to the crown 
of France. 

Henry III of Valois, was at the head of the royal authority ; 
Henry of Guise was the leader of the zealous Catholics and 
the League ; Henry of Navarre was the leader of the Hu- 
guenots. 

The Duke d'Aumale in his Histoirc des Princes de Conde, 



*Davila, lib. 5. 
14 



io6 The Records of Oxford. 

narrates of the battle of Coiitras, in 1587. " The Bearnese was 
on horse-back whilst his adversary was banqueting." 

' Joyeuse when near to Coutras, found the town occupied by 
the Protestant advance-guard. 

The battle began on October 20, 1587, shortly after sunrise. 

Before mid-day the battle was won, and the royalist army 
routed, and the Duke de Joyeuse in command, was fatally 
wounded. 

The following is a description of the battle of Coutras : 

" His body was taken to the king's quarters ; there it lay, in 
the evening, upon a table, in the very room where the con- 
queror's supper had been prepared ; but the king ordered all 
who were in the chamber to go out, had his supper things re- 
moved else whither, and with every mark of respect, com- 
mitted the remains of the vanquished to the care of Yiscount 
de Turenne, his near relative. 

" On the one side, there was gilded armour, gloriously 
damasked, glittering in the sun ; painted lances covered with 
ribbons, with their banderulles dancing in the air ; rich coats of 

velvet, with broad lace, and galoons of gold and silver ; 

large and beautifully colored plumes waving on their crests ; 

scarfs magnificently embroidered and edged with long gold 

fringe, and all the young cavaliers carrying the ciphers and 
colors of their mistresses, as if they were marching to a 
carousal, and not on the point of gi\^ng battle." 

" On the Huguenot side, they arranged themselves in a line, 
and in a deep and solemn voice, sung the hundred and 
eighteenth Psalm ; then knelt while the minister d'Amour, 
made a short but fervent prayer. 

" It is said this attitude was mistaken by the young cavaliers, 
who exclaimed : ' S'death ! they tremble ; the cowards are at 
confession.' The venerable minister drew his sword at the 
conclusion of his prayer, and mingled with the combatants." 

" The army led by Navarre, consisted of old soldiers inured 



Huguenot History. 107 

to toil and labor, whose mien was fierce and menacing ; un- 
combed, ill clothed, with their long buff coats all bespattered ; 
over their coarse threadbare clothes, having no other ornament 
than their trusty bilbo by their sides, and sound armour on 
their breasts, mounted on traveling horses, without hous- 
ings," &c. 

" After the battle, Navarre repaired to the castle of Coutras. 
Henry III, to restore the royal authority, endeavored to 
moderate the difference between his Catholic and Protestant 
subjects, reducing both to a dependence upon himself. 

" Henrj' granted peace to the Protestants on the most ad- 
vantageous conditions. They obtained the public exercise of 
their religion, except within two leagues of the court ; party 
chambers, consisting of an equal number of Protestants and 
Cathohcs, were elected in all the parliaments of the kingdom 
for the more equitable administration of justice." — Davila. 

There was for Henry III but one possible ally who might 
do him effectual service, and that was Henry of iS'avarre, and 
the Protestants. Henry III was a Catholic, and the prospect 
of an excommunication troubled him greatly if he had recourse 
to this party, and Catholicism was in a large majority in 
France. Henry of Navarre enlisted Swiss infantry and Ger- 
man cavalry, and being still supported by his nobility, and by 
the princes of the blood, he assembled an army of forty-two 
thousand men. With these two forces the two kings advanced 
to the gates of Paris, July, 1589, and were ready to crush the 
League. 

August 2, 1589, Henry III, the last king of the House of 
Yalois, was assassinated. 



io8 The Records of Oxford. 



CHAPTER X. 

1589-1685. 

The death of Henry III left the succession open to the king 
of Navarre, who as next heir to tlie crown assumed the gov- 
ernment under the title of Henry IV. The desertion of his 
troops obhged him to abandon the siege of Paris, and retire 
into Normandy. There he was followed by the forces of the 
League, and by the Duke of Mayenne. In this extremity 
Henry IV applied to the Queen of England. Elizabeth sent 
liim a present of twenty -two thousand pounds, to prevent the 
desertion of the German and Swiss soldiers, and a reinforcement 
of four thousand men. He again marched towards Paris, and 
had almost taken the city by storm ; but the Duke of Mayenne 
entering it with his army, Henry thought it more prudent to 
retire. 

In 1590, soon after, Henry IV attacked the Duke of Mayenne 
at Ivri, and gained a complete victory. Henry's bearing on 
this occasion was truly heroic. " My lads," said he to his sol- 
diers, "if you should lose sight of your colors, rally towards 
this," jjointing to a large Vtdiite plume which he w^ore in his 
hat ; " you will always find it in the road to honor. God is with 
us!" added he emphatically, di-avving his sword, and rushing 
into the thickest of the enemy ; but when he perceived their 
ranks broken, and great havoc committed in the pursuit, his 
natural humanity and attachment to his countrymen returned, 
and led him to cry, "Spare my French subjects!" forgetting 
that they were his enemies. — Davila, lib. xi. 

The Duke of Mayenne was urged to call an assembly of the 
states, in order to deliberate on the election of a king. The 
Catholic friends of Henry IV demanded of him now to de- 



NoTE.— Sully tells us wherever the battle raged there towered the 
white plume. 



Huguenot History. 109 

clare the sentiments of his religion, and their jealousy appeared 
to increase as he approached nearer to the full possession of 
his throne. 

Henry lY, soon after the taking of Dreux, solemnly made 
his abjuration at St. Dennis, and received absolution from the 
archbishop of Bourges. — Davila, lib. xiii. 

This course of Henry was highly agreeable to the Fi-ench 
nation, though the more zealous Catholics suspected his sin- 
cerity. His Protestant allies, particularly the Queen of Eng- 
land, expressed much indignation at this interested change in 
his religion, though he was influenced by the celebrated Mar- 
quis de Rosni, afterward Duke of Sully, and prime minister to 
Henry IV. 

Henry was crowned with much solemnity at Chdrtres, and 
all promised a speedy pacification. The Dnke of Mayenne 
retired from Paris. The Duke of Guise made peace, and 
Henry returned to Paris in triumph where he was received 
with every possible mark of loyalty ! Henry now saw himself 
established in his kingdom. 

In 1594, while these events were taking place in Prance, 
war was still carried on with the Protestants in the Low 
Countries. Queen Ehzabeth aided Prince Maurice with lier 
power against Spain. 

The war against the Spanish forces in the Low Countries 
was still continued; besides several bodies of Germans and 
Swiss, the states took into their service two thousand French 
veterans, disbanded by Henry lY, on the conclusion of the 
peace of Yervins; and that prince generously supplied the i-e- 
public with money. 

In 1600 the two armies came to a general engagement at 
Nieuport, near Ostend. " The conflict was terrible. The field 
was obstinately disputed for three hours. The Spaniards were 
defeated with a loss of five thousand men by the valor of the 
English forces under Lord Yere, who led the van of the con- 



no The Records of Oxford. 

federates. A share of the honor was due under the military 
skill of Prince Maurice to a body of Swiss immediately under 
his command, who supported the English troops. 

" This victory was of the utmost importance to the United 
Provinces, as the defeat of their army must have been followed 
by the loss of their liberties and their final ruin as independent 
states." — Russell, History of Modern Europe, vol. I. 

Note. — " Lord Vere a man whose Coat of Armour made more Re- 
nowned than his coat of Arms." 

"And wliose personal Achievements in the field, especially at the 
Battle of Nieuport ennobled more than the high blood derived from 
his Ancestors, but his unstained piety gave him the highest cliar- 
acter of all." 

Sir Horace [Horatio] Vere, an English nobleman ; lie was the defender 
of the Protestants in the Netherlands. 

"This noble Lord was one, that could as well wrestle witli God, as 
fight with men, and may be thought to have gotten his victories upon 
his knees in the closet, before he drew his sword in the field. 

"And when he had overcome his enemies he could overcome himself 
also, being one of the humblest souls, in whom so much true worth 
lodged, that we have heard of." — Life of Lady Vere. Distinguished 
Christians of the Church Nobility and G-entry. London edition. 1683. 

The victories of Lord Vere were long remembered and honored by the 

English nation and by the Protestants of France and Netherlands. 

An epitaph upon the Right Honorable and Religious, the Lady Vere, 

wife to the most Noble, and Valiant Lord Horatio Vere, Baron Tilbury, 

who died at the advanced age of ninety years. 

Anno Christi, 1671 . 

"Noble her self; more Noble, 'cause so neer 
To the thrice Noble, and Victorious Vere. 
That Belgick Lion, whose loud fame did roar, 
Heard from the German to the British shoar. 
His Trophies she was Joyntur'd in (so say 
The Lawyers) Wives shine by their Husbands Ray. 
See therefore now, how by his side she stands, 
Tryumphing 'midst the Graves, those Netherlands. 
Rather in Heaven, those only we confess, 
Are truly called Th' United Provinces.'''' 

Chablbs Derbt. 



Huguenot History. m 

April 13, 1598, Henry lY secured to the Protestants their 
civil rights by the " Edict of Nantes, called the Edict of Peace," 
which confirmed to them the free exercise of their religion. 
and gave them equal claims with the Catholics to all offices and 
dignities. 

They were also left in possession of their fortresses, which 
were ceded to them for their security . This edict afforded to 
the Protestants a means of forming a kind of republic within 
the kingdom. 

In maintaining the Edict of Kantes Henry IV assured his 
Parliament that established laws should be respected. 

" You see me here in my cabinet, not as the kings, my pred- 
ecessors, nor as a prince who gives audience to ambassadors — 
but dressed in my ordinary garb as a father of a family, who 
would converse with his children. I know there have been 
parties in the Parliament, and that seditious preachers have been 
ejected. I will put good order into these people. I will shorten 
by the head all such as venture to foment faction, 

" I have leaped over the walls of cities, and I shall not be 
terrified by barricades. 

" I have made an edict, let it be observed. 

"My will must be executed, not interpreted." 

With all his errors, Henry IV was a great king, and did 
more for the prosperity of France than any monarch who had 
preceded him. 

Sully, his chief minister, thus describes him : 

"He was candid, sincere, grateful, compassioned, generous, 
wise, penetrating, and loved by his subjects as a father." 

Note. — "Nantes, the capital of ancient Brittany, is described as a 
quaint tumble-down old city, where the houses, with their upper stories 
projecting over the narrow streets, seemed to be tipsy and the streets crazy. 
In the old round-towered castle, which they now use as a barrack the 
good Henry of Navarre signed the famous Edict of Nantes." 



1 1 2 77^1? Records of Oxford. 

In 1610 Henry assisted in the coronation of his queen, 
Mary de Medicis, and is assassinated the following day by 
Ravaillac. 

Jane d'Albret was the daughter of Henry II, King of 
Navarre, and Marguerite, sister of Francis I, King of France, 
and was carefully educated in the Protestant faith from her 
childhood. She married Anthony of Bourbon, son to Charles, 
Duke of Vendome, and was the mother of Henry lY, King 
of France, 

" Jane of Navarre inherited the genius and elegance of Mar- 
guerite, with acquirements far beyond that period. She pos- 
sessed the amiable and graceful attractions of domestic life in 
her character, having great simplicity and purity of manners; 
she wrote with ease, and spoke Latin and Spanish with 
fluencv. Men of talent and learnino- thronfyed her court," 

Wlien Anthony of Bourbon, King of Navarre and Beam, had 
openly left the Protestants and joined the Princes of Guise, the 
Queen in disappointment retired to her own dominions on the 
northern slope of the Pyrenees. There with her son Henry, 
the Prince of Beam, and her daughter, the Lady Catharine, 
in the midst of her own subjects, she was studying, more than 
any other of her age, the true welfare of her people, and in 



Note.— In 1604 Henry IV when he was informed of the death of his 
sister, Catharine de Bourbon (Duchess de Bar), exclaimed, "All ! all ! 
mother and sister ! " 

The Duchess de Bar was carried to Vendome, and buried in the 
tomb of her ancestors, by the side of her mother, Queen Jane of 
Navarre. — Sully's " Memoirs." 

Note. — The cradle Henry IV was rocked in, a great tortoise shell, is 
still kept at Pau in Beam. 

Note. — Navarre a small kingdom in the south of France. 

Note. — The Queen of Navarre had the New Testament printed at 
her own expense, the Catechism and the prayers used in the Church 
of Geneva. The same were also translated into the Gascoin and printed 
at La Rochelle for the province of Contabria under the jurisdiction of 
Navarre, 



Huguenot History. 113 

educating her son soon to appear in history as the leader of 
the Huguenot party, and on the expiration of the Yalois line, 
to succeed to the throne of France as Henry the Fourth. She 
had already established the principles of the Reformation in 
her kingdom, upon which she hoped to see lier son lay a 
foundation of a great and glorious career. 

The first preKminary devised by Catharine de Medici for 
confirming a pretended peace, which was only a ruse to more 
surely destroy the Protestants, was to send an envoy to 
Rochelle, in the King's name, to treat with the Queen of 
Navarre about the marriage between her son Henry and the 
King's sister, the Lady Marguerita, for which purpose he ex- 
tended to them an invitation to come to court, where the pro- 
posed marriage could be more fully concluded. 

Upon the earnest solicitation of the King the Queen of Na- 
varre went the March following (1572) from La Rochelle to the 
court, wliich was then at Blois, accompanied by a great retinue. 

The articles of marriage were concluded between the King's 
sister and the Prince of Navarre ; the King was to give his 
sister for her dowry three hundred thousand crowns, each crown 
being valued at four and ^fifty shillings. — Life of Jane of 
Navarre. 

" Accordingly on May 6 she took her journey from Blois, and 
arrived on the 15th at Paris, to make suitable preparations for 
the marriage and the arrival of her son. She went from place 
to place in the city into several houses and shops in order to 
furnish herself with such things as were suitable to adorn the 
approaching marriage. 

" An Italian it is said sold to the Queen of Navarre poisoned 
perfumes (also perfumed gloves that were poisoned) and was 
afterward heard to boast of what he had done. 

She preserved her own chaste and ^simple style of dress, 
which might have been termed almost a censure on the cos- 
tumes of the court. 
15 



114 T^^^^ Records of Oxford 

" Soon after her arrival she fell sick of a continued fever 
and died June 9, Anno Christi, 1572." — Life of Jane of 
Navarre. London edition. 1683. 

While in Paris the Queen had written to Prince Henry. 

"My son," she concluded, "you have rightly judged from 
my letters, that their great object here is to separate you from 
me and from God Pray earnestly to God, whose assist- 
ance you need at all times, but especially at the present ; and 
I too, will add my fervent prayer, that he will grant you in all 
your just desires." 

" As her strength was decaying, the Queen requested that a 
clergyman might be present in her sickness, to give her coun- 
sel from the Scriptures. She listened to the reading of the 
fourteenth to the completion of the seventeenth chapter of St. 
John's Gospel, and in conclusion to the thirty-first Psalm, in 
which the prophet, among other things, commends his spirit 
into the hands of God, because, said he, ' Thou hast redeemed 
me, O Lord God of truth ! ' If Jane of Navarre were a per 
feet pattern, nothing was ever suggested to lessen her, but 
that which was her true glory, her receiving the Reformation. " 

" She both received it and brought her subjects to it. She 
not only reformed her court, but her whole principality, to 
such a degree that the golden age seemed to have returned 



Note. — Catharine de Bourbon, the sister of Henry IV, was alone in 
the court circle by her simplicity of manners and unostentatious plain 
ness in dress. The dresses, though of the richest material (for she 
encouraged the silk looms of France), were neither "flounced nor fur- 
belowed ; " she wore her hair cut as prescribed, even when other court 
ladies of rank in the reformed church refused. 

The simplicity of her life discovered itself in her pure, transparent 
complexion, the delicacy of which was heightened by the lawn kerchief 
that shaded her neck in spite of Marguerite de Valois' ridicule. 

The Lady Catherine married Charles, Duke de Bar. "He was the 
son of Lorraine, her former suitor. It would seem that the admiration 
which animated the father had been entailed with his fortunes upon 
the son." 



Huguenot History. 115 

under her; or rather, Christianity appeared again with the 
purity and lustre of its first beginnings." — Bishop Burnet, 
Essay on the Memory of C^ueen Mary, p. 29. 

The Qneen of Navarre, Jeanned' Albret,who had gone to Paris 
in preparation for the marriage, had died there June 8, 1572. 

" It was in deep mourning that her son the King of Na- 
varre, arrived at court, attended by eight hundred gentle- 
men, all likewise in mourning. ' But,' says Marguerite de 
Valois herself, ' the marriage took place a few days afterwards 
with such triumph and magnificence as none others of my 
quality ; the King of Navarre and his troop having changed 
their mourning for very rich and fine clothes, and I being 
dressed royally, with crown and corset of tufted ermine, all 
blazing with crown-jewels, and the grand blue mantle with a 
train four ells long borne by three princesses, the people 
choking one another down below to see us pass,' The mar- 
riage was celebrated August 18, by the Cardinal of Bourbon, in 
front of the principal entrance of Notre-Dame." 

Note. — It may be of interest to some to observe the changes in the 
style of dress for the last three centuries. It is said "Marguerite of 
Valois, both before and after her marriage with the King of Navarre, 
though she requii-ed no aid of art, being singularly beautiful, and yet 
she often wore false hair and paint. One of the Queen of Navarre's 
gowns was black satin, covered with embroidery, the expense of which 
was from four to five hundred crowns, and many other costly gowns. 
The mourning at this period was black, white and gray, with violet or 
blue stockings." 

Marguerite being seized with a sudden devotion she presented to the 
church one of these gowns, adorned with gems of great value. 

Henry ot Navarre wore at his marriage with Marguerite of Valois a 
uniform of pale, yellow satin, covered with the richest embroidery, 
wrought in relief, and decorated with pearls. 

King Henry at his second marriage with Mary de Medici was dressed 
in white satin, embroidered with gold and pearls. Mary of Medici, 
niece to the Great Duke of Tuscany, was extremely elegant in all her 
style of dress. 



1 16 The Records of Oxford. 

Henry IV was succeeded by his son Louis XIII, during 
whose minority Mary de Medici, his mother, was appointed re- 
gent. Cardinal de RicheHeu was the minister of state, and a 
great favoi'ite of Louis XIII. At this time the Huguenots were 
able to offer a powerful resistance, as they had become very 
numerous in the provinces. They still retained La Rochelle, 
which enabled them to continue a communication with 
England. 

Cardinal Richelieu, though a Catholic prelate, was not a 
bigot or a persecutor, but a statesman. He was as ready to 
enter into alliances with Protestant powers as with Catholic 
powers, for political purposes. Kichelieu with his army and 
navy laid siege to La Eochelle in 1627, to increase the royal 
government. The siege continued fifteen months, as the city 
was supported by the English fleet, and by German recruits. 
La Rochelle from 30,000 inhabitants was reduced to 5,000, 
from famine. The possession of the city was given to the 
royal troops October 30, 1628. 

Mazarine, prime minister of France, was the successor of 
Richelieu. At the Mazarine palace he died in 1661, at the age 
of hfty-one years. " A few days before his death he was car- 
ried, in his chair, to the promenade, exquisitely dressed and 
rouged ; the courtiers ironically complimented him on his ap- 
pearance, telling him he never looked ' so fresh and ver- 
milion.' Mazarine had completed his political career ; he had 
married his nieces to the first nobles in Europe, and amassed 
immense wealth. His love of fine paintings became a passion. 
His health was daily failing, and he consulted his physicians 
upon the nature of his malady, who frankly told him he could 
not live longer than two months. The cardinal, in his dress- 
ing-gown and nightcap, tottered to his gallery of pictures. 
Brienne, his friend, followed him ; ' lie stood gazing upon them 
with hands clasped.' ' Look,' he exclaimed, ' look at that Cor- 
reggio ! this Venus of Titian ! that Deluge of Carracci ! Oh, 



Huguenot History. wj 

my friend, I must quit all these. Adieu, dear pictures, that I 
loved so truly, that have cost me so much ! ' 'I shall never 
see them more where I am going.' " — The History of France, 
by M. Guizot and Madame Guizot de Witt. 

Madame de Maintenon, the Last Yeaes op Louis XIY. 

By the Author of Mirabeau. 
a translation from the French (Madame de Maintenon.) 

Frangoise d'Aubigne was descended from an honorable and 
ancient family of France ; her grandfather, Theodore Agrippa 
d'Aubigne, was a Huguenot, and the devoted friend and com- 
panion of Henry lY. Her father, Constant d'Aubigne, had 
acquired consideration at court and wealth for his treachery to 
the Huguenots; his father disinherited him ; he was then de- 
tected in a treasonable correspondence with the English, and 
imprisoned by the government. 

Frangoise was born in the prison of the Conciergerie of ^iort, 
1635. Her godfather was the celebrated Duke de la Eoche- 
foucauld, her godmother was the daughter of the Baron du 
Neuillant, the governor of JSTiort. 

In great destitution were the parents of Frangoise. Madame 
de Villette, a sister of her father, and a Huguenot, brought 
them relief, removing the little Fraugoise to her home. But 
when Constant d'Aubigne was transferred to a prison at 
Bordeaux the mother took Frangoise to share with her a prison 
life with her father. In 1639, after unwearied solicitations, 
Madame d'Aubign6 obtained her husband's enlargement, after 
which they embarked for Martinique, to make their fortunes 
in a new world of surroundinofs. 

During the voyage little Frangoise fell dangerously ill, and 
was at last laid out as dead. The body was just about to be 
committed to the sea when the mother, as she held it in a last 
passionate, parting embrace, felt a slight movement. "My 
child is not dead ! " she shrieked. " Her heart beats ! " The 



1 1 8 The Records of Oxford. 

little girl was put back into bed, and in few days was restored 
to health. 

By what trifles are the destinies of men and of nations de- 
cided ! Had not the mother's heart craved for yet another 
embrace, or had the sailor who was to have been the grave- 
digger of the sea been but a moment quicker, the edict of 
Nantes might never have been revoked, and the latter years of 
Louis the Fourteenth might have been wholly difl!erent. What 
wonderful events hang upon moments ! — upon some ap- 
parently insignificant life ! 

The mother of Frangoise, who had herself been so schooled 
in adversity, desired to instil into the child's mind something 
of her own courage and fortitude. 

" One day while in Martinique the house took tire. Seeing 
little Frangoise weep bitterly, Madame said reprovingly, ' I 
thought you had more courage. Why should you weep thus 
for the loss of a house ? ' ' It is not for the house I am weep- 
ing,' answered the child, quickly, ' but for my doll ! ' " 

The child is the father of the man — the mother of the 
woman. 

In those words are the germ of the future intensely selfish 
nature of Madame de Maintenon. 

In Martinique Constant d'x^ubigne again acquired wealth, 
owning large plantations, but gambled them away and died. 
Madame d'Aubigne returned to France. Frangoise was again 
committed to the protection of Madame de Villette, who readily 
undertook the charge, and at once proceeded to train her little 
niece in the doctrines of the Reformed faith. 

" Years of poverty, of successive misfortune, of silent en- 
durance, of living in the shadow of life, had hardened and 
chilled Madame d'Aubigne's character into coldness and 
severity, beneath which her virtues and affections were con- 
cealed. Madame de Yillette, who had lived in the sunshine of 
life, was on the contrary, smiling, tender, loving, and so child- 



Huguenot History. 119 

like, the little Frangoise soon began to prefer this cheerful lady 
to the troubled, saddened mother, and to embrace all her teach- 
ings with the utmost docility. 

" One day Frangoise refused to accompany her mother to 
mass. Madame d'Aubigne with her usual energy at once 
appealed to Anne of Austria, to issue an order for the girl's 
restoration to her own custody. The order was granted, 
and the young Huguenot was handed over to her god-mother, 
the Countess de Neuillant, to be brought back to the Catholic 
faith. But Frangoise was not yet to be converted, so as a pun- 
ishment for her contumacy she was set to perform the most 
menial offices, among others, to measure out the corn for the 
horses, and to look after a flock of turkeys . ' It was there, in 
the farm yard,' she used to say, 'I first began to reign."' 

As not even these degradations could bend her firm spirit, 
she was consigned to a convent. Mademoiselle d'Aubigne, 
after a time, renounced her Protestant faith. 

Leaving her convent life, and her mother having died, 
" Mademoiselle d'Aubigne, after a training to wither the 
heart and to fill the soul full of bitterness, the flavor of which 
abides with us evermore. A childhood of privation is a poor 
preparation for a noble life ; little that is truly generous, 
tender and merciful ever comes from it, but much that is hard, 
cold, selfish and hypocritical." 

" Mademoiselle d'Aubigne was beautiful, graceful, accom- 
plished, clever, spirituelle," and when sixteen years of age, she 
was married to the Abbe Scarron. 

After his death, Madame Scarron was reduced once more to 
a state of destitution, being deprived of her pension by the 
death of Anne of Austria. 

In 1669 the Maintenon estate was for sale; the King pur- 
chased it, and bestowed it upon Madame Scarron, it being a most 
convenient residence for the royal children, and for herself, 
their guardian, the estate being in the near vicinity of Yersailles. 



I20 The Records of Oxford. 

" Madame de Maintenon erased from her carriage the arms 
of Scarron, substituting her own in their place — she had now 
assumed that title. Although she had been mixed up with the 
society of the Fronde, of which throughout his life Louis 
entertained the greatest horror, Louis, ill-educated himself, 
hated learned women. " It would appear that Madame de Main- 
tenon aspired to govern the mind of Louis XIV. Even 
as early as 1676, writing of Madame de Maintenon, Madame 
de Sevigne says, " Every thing is subject first to her cmj)ire." 

Louis XIII was succeeded by his son, Louis XIY, whose 
mother, Anne of Austria, was declared regent of the kingdom. 

The reign of Louis XIV was the greatest in French history, 
great in the grandeur of its King, the splendor of its court, 
the commanding talent of its generals and its ministers, the 
success in its arms, the nobleness of its literature. 

Marmontel narrates that throughout his life Louis X IV was 
always governed, either by his ministers or the ladies of his 
court. It would appear that no important act of that long 
reign emanated from the unprejudiced judgment of the 
monarch — the most absolute that ever reigned over France. 
Perhaps there is no more extraordinary history upon record 
than that of Madame de Maintenon at the court of Louis XIV, 
who governed by her influence one of the proudest sov- 
ereigns and through him the entire kingdom of France. 

In 1683 the Queen of Louis XIV, who was extremely fond 
of Madame de Maintenon, died in that lady's arms. Fi-om 
that hour Madame de Maintenon appeared to propose for her- 
self but one object in life — to become the wife of Louis XIV. 

Duke St. Simon's Testimony. 
" She brought to pass what our eyes have seen, but which 
posterity will refuse to believe. But what is very certain and 
very true is, that in the middle of the winter which followed 
the Queen's death, Louis XIV was privately married to Madame 
de Maintenon. 



Huguenot History. 121 

" She had great remains of beauty, bright and sprightly eyies, 
an incomparable grace," says St, Simon, who detested her, " an 
air of ease and yet of restraint and respect, and a great deal 
of cleverness, witli a speech that was sweet, correct, and in 
good terms, and naturally eloquent and brief." 

The marriage of Louis XIY to Madame de Maintenou was 
known only to a few persons at the French court, for Louis 
never publicly acknowledged her as his queen. 

He regarded hei- with great respect, and her opinion was 
sought by him on all occasions. 

Madame with her needlework now sat by him in all his con- 
sultations with his ministers of state, and he would very gal- 
lantly inquire of her at the end of these interviews : 

" What does your solidity think % " 

And yet this brilliant long reign of seventy years of Louis 
XIV became sad and mournful to the French court. For the 
King kept up all his old state with all his untam cable pride, for 
it w\as glory only he had sought, and yet with the weight of 
years his strength and spirit were gone. 

And Madame de Maintenon, though she had attained the 
summit of her earthly hopes in her marriage with Louis, 
would say : " No one could guess what a dreadful thing it was 
to have to amuse an unamuseable king,"— The last record of 
Madame de Maintenon. 

October 22, 1685, the King struck a blow against her great- 
ness and prosperity, from which, even at the present day, 
France has never wholly recovered. It was on that day that, 
yielding at last to the solicitations of Madame de Maintenon 
and Father La Chaise, his confessor, he revoked the Edict of 
Nantes, and blotted out all the previous glory of his reign. 

Note — Pere la Chaise, a French Jesuit, confessor of Louis XIV, born 
August, 1624 ; died .January, 1709. He promoted the Revocation of 
the Edict of Xantes. The King built for him a couutry-seat called 
"Mount Louis." Its gardens are now the cemetery Pere la Chaise, in 
Paris . 

16 



122 Tlie Records of Oxford. 

Duke St. Simon, a courtier of Louis XIV, writes of the 
revocation of the Edict of Nantes, though himself a Cathohc, 
that it was ruinous to the interests of France. 

Extract from Bishop Burnet's History of His own Time. 

He writes : " While I was in Paris I took a little house, and 
lived by myself as privately as I could until the beginning of 
August, when I went to Italy, 

" I found the Earl of Montague at Paris, with whom 1 con- 
versed much, and from him I had knowledge of the affairs of 
the court that the king had been for many years weakening 
the interests of the Protestants." 

Rouvigny, who was the deputy-general of the churches, 
(known at the English Court as Earl of Galway still remained 
firm to the Huguenots ;) he told me that he was long deceived 
in his opinion of the king. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Colonial History. 

Hon. William Stoughton, of Dorchester, Hon. Joseph 

Dudley, of Roxbury, contemplating a settlement, petitioned 

the General Court in respect to the ownership of lands in the 

Nipmuck country, and the rights of the Indians in them. 

The Court replied to this petition May 11, 1681, as follows : 

"The Court judgeth it meete to grant this motion, and doe 
further desire & impower the wor'pfll Wm. Stoughton & 
Joseph Dudley Esqrs. to take particular care & inspection 
into the matters of the land in the Nipmug Country, what 



Colonial History. 123 

titles are pretended to by Indeans or others, and tlie validity 
of them, and make returne of what they find therein to this 
Court as soone as may be. — Mass. Col. Rec., V, 315. 

They farther reported, October 16, 1681 : 

" Since which time, in September last, perceiving a bet. 
ter vnderstanding amongst them, wee warned seuerall of 
the principal! claymers to attend vs into the country 
& travajle the same in company with us as farr & as 
much as one weeke would allow us & find that the southerne 
part, clajmed by Black James and company is capable of good 
setlement, if not too scant of meadow, though vncerteine 
what will fall w'thin bounds if our lyne be to be quaestioned." 
— Mass. Col. Pvec, V, 328. 

The boundary between the Massachusetts and Connecticut 
colonies was at this time unsettled. 

The same commissioners, Stoughton and Dudley, were au- 
thorized by the General Court to treat with the Indians for 
that purpose, and " to agree with them upon the easiest terms 
that may be obtejned." — Ibid, 329. 

The action of the Court appears limited to the Nipmuck 
lands. On February 18, 1681-2, another report was made by 
the commissioners to the Court, stating that they had agreed 
for all the land belonging to the Hassanamesit and Natick In- 
dians. 

" lying fower miles northward of the present Springfield 
road, & southward to that, haue agreed betweene Blacke James 
& them, of which wee aduised in our late returne, wee haue 
purchased at thirty pounds money & a coate. 

" The southern halfe of sajd country we haue purchased of 
Blacke James & Company, for twenty pounds." — 1 Mass. Col. 
Rec, V, 342. 

Stoughton and Dudley being approved by the Court, one 
thousand acres of land were voted to each for their " great care 
& pajnes." 



1 24 TJie Records of Oxford. 

These grants were surveyed by John Gore, at Manchaug, in 
one plat, and confirmed to Stoughtoti and Dudley June 4, 
1685. 

In act of the General Court in confirming this grant it is 
described, viz.: " Conteyning 1800 acres with allowance of ad- 
ditions of two hundred more next adjoyning to conipleat the 
same to 2000 acres.... in the Nipniug Country, at a place 
called Marichouge [Manchaug] the line being marked with 
rainging markes in the corners with S. D." [the initials of 
grantees]. ~ 2 Ibid, 343. 3 Ibid, 488. 

" According to the earliest plan in the Oxford Reckords, 
' Manchaug Farm ' measured 074 rods on its east and w^est 
lines, and 434 rods on its north and south lines. This included 
both Stoughton and Dudley's shares. A later plan, made after 
the incorporation of the town of Dudley, in 1731, gives 
* Manchaug Farm' as 1100 acres, the i3roperty of the 'heirs 
of Mr. Dudley,' and 'belonging' to Oxford. A still later 
plan made in 1756 shows 1020 acres as in Oxford, and belonging 
to Thomas Dudley — and adjoining it on the east ; in Sutton, is 
shown the balance of the plat as ' now Richard Waters,' and 
others." 

At Katick, May 19, 1682, these deeds, dated Feb. 10, 
1681-2, were delivered. The commissioners reported to the 



Note. — On the back of the original deed is the foUowiog: viz, 
" That on the twentieth day of May 1685 full and peassable possession 
and seizure, of the Lands within mentioned to be granted with the ap- 
purtenances was given by Benjamin the brother of Black James and 
Simon Wolomp son of the sayd Black James by delivery of a turffe of 
the Land called Mayanexet upou a small twigg, in the name of the 
whole, unto the within named William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, 
which was so done under a tree growing on the sayd Mayanexet land, 
and then marked S. D. in the presence of us." 

Whose names are underwritten. 

John Black with, 
robt. purdour. 

Note. — The Huguenots in the Nipmuck country. 



Colonial History. 125 

court on May 27, 1682, that they had purchased "from the 
principall men of Natieke ... of a parcell of remote 
&c wast land, belonging to said Indians, lying at the vtmost 
westerly bounds of Naticke, and, as wee are informed, is for 

quantity about acres, more or lesse, being mean land." 

These deeds received the confirmation of the Court. — Ibid, 361. 
The first deed was executed for the consideration of thirty 
pounds, and its first signature was that of Waban, who was 
chief at l^atick. Attached to the same deed were twenty-two 
added signatures. In the second deed, executed for twenty 
pounds, was the signature of Black James of Chaubunagun- 
gamaug, followed by twenty-nine other signatures, " all that 
part of the Nipmug country, . . . lying and being beyond 
the great ryuer called Kuttatuck, or Nipmug [Blackstone] 
Ryver, and betweene a rainge of marked trees, beginning at 
sajd riuer and running south east till it fall vpon the south 
lyne of the sajd Massachusets colony on the south, and a 
certaine imaginary lyne fowre miles on the north side of the 
road, as it nowljeth, to Springt'eild on the north, the sajd great 
riuer Kuttatuck or Nipmuck on the eastward, and the sajd 
patent lyne on the westward." — Mass. Col. liec, V, 361. 

First Deed. 

" To all Christian People to whom this present Deed shall 
come ; 
" Know ye, that we Waban, Pj'ambobo, John Awagsawog, 
Thomas Awasaawog, Samuel Awassawog, John Awassa- 
wog, Jr., Anthony Tray, John Tray, Peter Ephraim, l^ehe- 
miah James, Kumeny Marsh, Zackery Abraham, Samuel 
Neaucit, Simon Sacomit, Andrew Pittyme, Ebenezer Pegin, 
John Magna w, James Printer, Samuel Acompanit, Joseph 
Milion, and Samuel Cocksquamion, Indian natives, and natural 
descendants of the ancient proprietors and inhabitants of the 
Nipmuck country (so called) and lands adjacent within the 



126 The Records of Oxford. 

Colony of Massachusetts, in New England, for and in consid- 
eration of the sum of thirty pounds, current money of New 
England, to us in hand, at and before the ensealing and de- 
livery of these presents, well and truly paid by William 
Stoughton, of the town of Dorchester, Esq., and Joseph Dud- 
ley, of the town of Roxbury, Esq., both within the Colony of 
Massachusetts, the receipt of which valuable sum we do hereby 
acknowledge ourselves therewith fully satisfied, have granted, 
bargained, and sold unto said William Stoughton and Joseph 
Dudley, their heirs and assigns, forever, all the lands lying 
within the said limits or bounds, be they more or less. In 
witness whereof, we have hereunto put our hands and seals 
this 10th day of February, Anno Domini, one thousand six 
hundred and eighty-one, and in the four-and-thirtieth year of 
the reign of our Sovereign Lord, King Charles the Second, 
over England," &c. 

" Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of us, 

Samuel Ruggles, Sen., 
Daniel Morse, 
Samuel Gookin, 
John Allen, 
Obadiah Morse." 

" Waban, X his mark and seal. 

Pyambobo, u u 

John Awassawog, " " 

Samuel Awassawog, m " " 

Samuel Bowman, h " " 

John Awassawog, Jr., F" " " 

Anthony Tray, A " 

Thomas Tray, « 

Benjamin Tray, P " 

Jethro, B " 

Joseph Ammon, Jo " 

Peter Ephraim, ho " 



Colonial History. 127 

Andrew Pittyme, An his mark and seal. 

Nehemiah, " " 

Zackery Abraham, R " " 

Samuel Neaucit, M " " 

Thomas Waban, m " " 

George Moonisco, G " " 

Eleazer T. Pegin, " " 

Simon Saeomit, " " 

Great Jacob Jacob, " " 

Elisha Milioii, O, " '< 

In the second deed is the following : "All that part of tlie 
sajd Nipmug country . . . lying & being on the south 
part of the sajd colony of the Mattachnsets, beyond the great 
riner, . . . bounded with the Mattachnsets patent line 
. . . on the south, and certeine marked trees, beginning at 
the sajd riner and runing south east, till it strike vpon the 
bounds the of sajd patent line; on the north, the said great 
riuer ; on the east, and coming to a j^oint on the west."— 1 
Mass. Col. Rec, V, 362-365. 

Feb., 1681-2. The commissioners reported to the Court, 
" The whole tract in both deeds conteyned is in a forme of a 
trjangle & reduced to a square, conteyneth a tract about fifty 
miles long and twenty miles wide." — Ibid, 342. 

In the second deed tliere was a reservation of five miles 
square, to the native Indians, which might be chosen in two 
separate tracts of land. The first was on the Quinebaug river 
at Maanexit, three or four miles southerly of Chaubunagun- 
gamaug. The other tract of land, four or five miles south- 
easterly of Maanexit, in the present town of Thompson. — 1 
Mass. Col. Rec, V, 488. 

Most of the first reservation was subsequently conveyed to 
Dudley or his heirs, and a part of the land was incorporated in 
the town which received his name. 

The second deed was of the same date, the same territory 



128 The Records of Oxford. 

included, with the consideration of twenty pounds lawful 
money of New England, making fifty pounds as the full pay- 
ment for the relinquishment of the Indian title to the tract of 
country thus conveyed, but had a reservation, viz.: "Reserv- 
ing alwaj's unto ourselves, our heirs and assigns, out of the 
above said grant, a certain tract of land five miles square, at 
such two places as we shall choose, to be wholly at our own 
use and dispose." This reservation was at " Chaubunagunga- 
maug, surveyed in October, 1684, to Black James and others. 
It extended west from Chaubunagungamaug pond (from which 
the Indian town here took its name), over Maanexit river 
(French river). Nearly all this tract, with other lands be- 
tween the towns of Oxford and Woodstock, became the prop- 
erty of Joseph Dudley, and afterwards fell to his sons, the 
Hon. Paul and William Dudley. Part of this Indian land is 
now within the limits of Thompson, Ct., and part in Dudley." 
Second deed, signed sealed and delivered in presence of, 

William Parker, 
Isaac Newell, 
John Gove, 
Samuel Ruggles, Jr., 
Peter (his X mark) Gardiner, 
Ralph Brodhurst. 

Black James, TJ and seal. 

Sam Jaco, E " 

Benjamin, O " 

Simon Wolamp, Lo " 

Wolowa Nonck, F " 

Pe Pey Pegans, " 

Poponi Shant, Ts " 

Cotoosowk, son of 
Wolompaw, by his order, 
Wabequola, Wab 
Siebquat, his mark, *S' 



Colonial History. 129 

A grant of land was made to Robert Thompson in the Nip- 
mug country, as follows : 

" This Court, being informed by our agents, now in Eng- 
land, of the good will & friendship of 'Maj Robert Thompson, 
of London, & his readiness vpon all occasions to be assistants 
to them in the service of this colony, wherein they are, accord- 
ing doe, by way of gratuity, give vnto the said Major 
Thompson & his heires, fine hundred acres of land in the Nip- 
mug country, to be lajd out, to him w'th all reasonable con- 
venience, bated May 16th, 1683." — 1 Mass. Col. Rec, V, 
409. 

Major Robert Thompson, who is mentioned in this grant, 
had been for a length of time a resident of Boston, New 
England. 

He was a member of the first corporation established in 
England, by an act of Parliament July 19, 1649, for the 
Propagation of the Gospel among tlie Indians of New Eng- 
land, and when the Hon. Robert Boyle resigned the office of 
president of the society, he was succeeded by Major Thompson. 

He received a special grant of five hundred acres of land 
from Massachusetts, besides liis share of the grant for Oxford, 
in 1683, in acknowledgment of his good will and friendship 
for the colony. This grant was afterward laid out in the ter- 
ritory EAST of Woodstock, which became the north part of Kil- 
lingly. In 1731 the General Assembly of Connecticut granted 
to Joseph Thompson, Esq., of the Inner Temple, London, 
grandson and heir of the said Robert Thompson, Esq., of the 
parish of Stoke, Newington, deceased, two thousand acres. 



Note. — Governor Gurdan Saltonstall, in behalf of his great grand- 
father, Sir Richard Saltonstall, owned one thousand acres here. 

Josiah Wolcott, of Salem, had two thousand acres here, formerly the 
property of Thomas Freake. The first sale of land in this tract was by 
this Mr. Wolcott and his wife Mary (Freake) Wolcott, of Salem, to 
Josiah Sabin, April 10, 1716. 

17 



1 30 The Records of Oxford. 

near the grant before to his grandfatlier, which, with the five 
hundred as aforesaid, making two thousand five hundred acres, 
was given in remembrance of the vakiable services of Major 
Thompson. In 1730, " The North Parish of Killingly " was, 
in honor to Major Thompson, changed to Thompson's Parish. 
In 1785 it was again changed to Thompson. 

Tlie grant for Oxford, Mass'tts, was made May 16 — 1683. 

"This court haning information that some gentlemen in 
England are desirous to remove themselves into this colony, 
& (if it may be) to setle theniselues vnder the Massachusetts ; 
for the incouragement of such persons, and that they may haue 
some from among theniselues, according to their motion, to as- 
sist & direct them in such a designe, this Court doth grant to 
Major Robert Thompson Willjam Stoughton and Joseph 
Dudley, Esq., and such others as they shall associate to them, 
a tract of land in any free place, conteyning eight miles square, 
for a towneship, they settling in the sayd place w'thin fewer 
yeares, thirty familjes & an able orthodox minister, and doe 
allow to the sayd towneship freedom from country rates for 
fewer years from the time aboue Ijmitted" — May 16, 1683." 
— Mass. Col. Rec, vol. Y, p. 408. 

" The plan, a copy of which is now in the town clerk's ofKce, 
comprehended forty-one thousand two hundred and fifty acres, 
or a little less than sixty-five square miles, and was two thou- 
sand one hundred and fourteen rods, or six and two-thirds miles 
on the easterly side ; three thousand three hundred and forty 
rods, or about ten and a half miles on the southerly ; one thou- 
sand nine hundred and sixty-eight rods, or about six miles on 
the w^esterly ; and three thousand two hundred and sixteen 
rods, or about ten miles on the northerly. The description in 
the deed of division — Jiereafter described — begins at the 
south-west corner of Worcester, which was near the present 
village of Auburn, and from thence the line ran nearly south, 
to the north-west corner of Mr. Dudley's grant of one thou- 



Colonial History. 131 

sand acres before alluded to,* and thence south fifteen degrees 
east, by the west line of said farm to a point about one and a 
quarter miles south-westerly of the village of West Sutton, 
and a mile and a half west of Manchaug pond, known as 
' Manchaug Corner ' — thence west fifteen degrees south, to a 
point a little north of Peter pond hi the easterly part of 
Dudle}^, and thence continuing westerly, crossing the Quine- 
bang river to a point in the vicinity of Sandersdale, in the 
easterly part of Southbridge, thence northerly to a point about 
two miles westerly of Charlton city, on the Sturbridge line, 
thence easterly, bearing northerly, to the south-west corner of 
Worcester. 

" These lines enclosed, besides the present town of Oxford, 
nearly the whole of Charlton, about one-fourth of Anburn, 
one-fifth of Dudley, and three or four square miles of the 
north-eastern portion of Southbridge. 

" Through this tract there ran, due north and south a ' way,' 
twenty rods in width, called ' the common way.' The design 
of this unusual provision can only be conjectured, but as it is 
called on an old plan the 'proprietors' common way,' it 
was a reserve for the purpose of access to the several allot- 
ments of the lands west of the village. We find no sub- 
sequent allusion to it in the records, and later it is believed, 
it became a part of the village territory, and its western lines 
the boundary. This dividing line cut off from the main grant 
eleven thousand two hundred and fifty acres of the eastern 
portion, a tract six and two-thirds miles long, and two and 
one-half miles wide, which was given to the (planters) for a 
' Yillage,' or a general Plantation. 

•' The remaining thirty thousand acres was divided into five 
equal parts, the division lines running easterly and westerly. 
These parts were allotted as follows : The northernmost to 



*The Huguenots in the Nipmuck country. 



132 The Records of Oxford. 

Eobert Thompson, the second to Daniel Cox, the third to Wil- 
liam Stoiighton, the fourth to John Blackwell, and the south- 
ernmost to Joseph Dudley. Mr. Cox's portion is subdivided 
on the plan between Blackwell, Freak and Cox. All the 
bounds mentioned in this deed were of a transient nature — 
marked trees, a heap of stones, or a stake, constituting them 
all except one, which is permanent, and this was at the north- 
east corner of the natural pond at the present Hodges' vil- 
lage. This bound marked ' the village line,' as it was called 
Mr. Black well's north line joined the village line at this point, 
so that the pond was in the north-eastern angle of his portion, 
and is called on the plan referred to, ' Blackwell's pond.' On 
another plan of early date his share is designated as now 
' Papillon's,' and on another later as ' Wolcut's and Wil- 
liams'.' " 

The following letter from Dr. Cox, of England, to Governor 
Bradstreet, dated "London, October 10, 1684. 



Note. — Josiah Wolcott, Esq., a gentleman in his time distinguished 
in the history of the town — as was Mr. Williams, both were grandsons 
of Peter Papillon of Boston. 

Note. — The deed of division gives the Indian name to the pond 
wliich was " Augutteback." 

Note. — The deed of division is a document of historical interest, and 
is now in possession of the New York Historical Society. It was pre- 
sented by Charles Welford, Esq., of Loudon, in the year 1872. This 
deed is on parchment, and elegantly executed, and is in good preserva- 
tion, the prominent words and phrases in old English German text. 
In size its length is two feet three inclies, and two feet five inches in 
width ; it is closely written in a legible hand. 

Attached to the instrument are five loops of jiarchment, bearing only 
tlie remains of seals in wax at the bottom of the parchment like 
pendants. 

The left hand seal bears the name of Joseph Dudley, and the second 
William Stoughton, and the fiftli has the name of John Blackwell. 

On tlie back of the document are the signatures of witnesses, viz.: 
Samuel Witty, Edward Thomas, Daniel Bondet, J. B. Tuflfean and Wil- 
liam Blackwell. 



Colonial History. 133 

" Divers persons in England and Ireland, gentlemen, citizens, 
and others, being inclined to remove tliemselves into foreign 
parts, where they may enjo}^, without interruption, the public 
exercise of the Christian religion, according to what they ap- 
prehend to be of Divine institution, have prevailed with Mr. 
Blackwell to make your country a visit, and inquire whether 
they may be there welcome, and which they may reasonably 
expect — that liberty they promise themselves and others, who 
will attend their motion," 

Among the associates of these three gentlemen whose names 
appear in the grant for Oxford, were Doctor Daniel Cox, 
Captain John Blackwell, of London, and Thomas Freake, of 
Hannington, in the county of Wilts, England. 

It would appear that these gentlemen were Puritan Dis- 
senters, who designed to remove and settle permanently in this 
country, but they were deterred by a favorable change in Eng- 
land in political and church affairs by the death of Charles II, 
and the short reign of James II, and William III succeeding 
to the throne of England, giving to England a constitution pro- 
tecting the rights of the people. 

On the petition of these grantees, in 16S5, the General 
Court extended the time for settling upon this grant the 
thirty families, as follows : 

"In answer to the motion and request of William Stoughton 
and Joseph Dudley, Esq , on behalf of Major ThomjDson and 
themselves, desiring this Court's favor to enlarge tlie time of 
their grant of their plantation, this Court do enlarge the time 
for settling that plantation therein mentioned, the space of 
three years from this day. January, 1685." — See liecords of 
General Court, vol. V, p. 594. 



1 34 TJie Records bf Oxford. 

CHAPTER XII. 

"The Huguenot's Farewell." 

"And I obey — I leave their towers 
Unto the stranger's tread ; 
Unto tlie creeping grass and flowers. 
Unto the fading pictures of the dead. 

" I leave their shields to slow decaj', 
Their banners to the dust; 
I go, and only bear away 

Their old majestic name — a solemn trust. 

" I go up to the ancient hills 
Where chains may never be ; 
Where leap in joy the torrent I'ills, 

Where man may worship God, alone and free. 

" There shall an altar and a camj), 
Impregnably arise ; 
There shall be lit a quenchless lamp, 

To shine unwavering through the open skies. 

'' And song shall 'midst the rocks be heard, 
And fearless prayer ascend ; 
While thrilling to God's most Holy Word, 
The mountain pines in adoration bend. 

'' And there the burning heart no more, 

Its deep thought shall suppress ; 

But the long buried truths shall pour 

Free currents thence amidst the wilderness. 

"Then fare thee well, my mother's bower, 
Farewell, my father's hearth ! 
Perish my home ! whence lawless power 
Hath rent the tie of love to native earth. 

" Perish 1 let death-like silence fall, 
Upon the lone abode ; 
Spread fast, dark ivy — spread thy pall ! 
I go up to the mountains, with my God." 

Mbs. Hbmans. 



The Edict of Nantes. 135 

At the revocation of the Edict of Nantes 1685, many of the 
French exiles from Normandy, Lannjuedoc- and other parts of 
France, repaired to England and Ireland. In London they 
were received with great kindness. Here the French artisans 
commenced trades in silk, tapestries, fine linens and the build- 
ing of ships, and reached great success in other commercial de- 
partments. 

"The Episcopal chnrcli is not without its own traditions of 
amity with the Huguenots. In the closing years of the six- 
teenth century the silk looms of the French and Flemish 
refugees filled the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral, and to this 
day the descendants of the persecuted people maintain their 
worship beneath the roof of that ancient and accredited home 
of Anglican religion." — Wm. R. Huntington, D. D. 

The Protestant countries of Europe, England, Holland, 
Germany and Switzerland, extended their sympathy and hospi- 
tality to the Huguenots. 

" The cordial understanding that existed between the Re 
formed Churches of France and the Church of England, dated 
from the time of Calvin." 

On their part the English Reformers showed no less cor- 
diality toward Calvin and other Continental divines, freely 
acknowledging the validity of tlieir orders, and inviting their 
counsel and concurrence in the most important measures. 

The Church of England extended to them a generous wel- 
come. Bristol next to London presented great attractions to 
the French refugees, for here they enjoyed the favor and 
patronage of the Bishop, Sir Jonathan Trelawney, and a church 
offered them for French service. — Dr. Baird. 

Many refugees escaped to England without being able to 
secm*e any portion of their estates. For these provision was 
already secured. There was a balance that remained of a fund 
raised some few years before bj^ contributions throughout 
England for the relief of French Protestants. Additional 



136 The Records of Oxford. 

benefactions were added in April, 16S6. The fund thus con- 
tributed amounted to the sum of a quarter of a million pounds 
sterling, known as the Koyal Bounty. A roj^^.l letter or brief 
enjoining these collections was necessary in order to their le- 
gality, but as neither Charles II nor James II had any sym- 
pathy in the movement, it was done reluctantly. Kefiigees 
were assisted by the committee that dispensed the Royal 
Bounty, or by the consistory of the French church in London. 

" A brief for a collection on behalf of the Protestant 
refugees, was issued by King Wilham III, in the year 1699. 
The proceeds amounting to nearly twelve thousand pounds, 
were intrusted as usual to the Chamber of the city of London, 
for safe keeping. From this fund disbursements were made 
by the Chamberlain, upon the order of the Archbishop of 
Canterbury, Sir William Ashurst, and others composing the 
Committee." 

In the early part of the seventeenth century it would a]-)- 
pear from the history of the Church of England of that time 
that the French divines were held greatly in favor by the 
English church, as extracts from an ancient " Treatise," by 
Bishop Hall will establish their relations of cliurch sympathy. 
Bishop Hall refers to Dr. Prideaux, of Oxford, and Dr. 
Primrose of the French church, in London. 

While many of the French exiles were leaving the Old 
World and abandoning their homes, they sought protection 
and new homes on the shores of New England. " America 
was regarded i)y the wandering Hugnenot as a blissful home," 
and no inconsiderable number came to this country. 

Mrs. Lee states with great truthfulness : 

"In viewing the refugees, we are not to lose sight of the 
peculiar circumstances under which they tied to this country ; 
— whole families together, women tenderly educated, and un- 
accustomed to hardship, ' men of retined and cultivated minds.' 
' Some few were able to secure a portion of their wealth, others 



The Huguenots in Boston. 137 

escaped with only their lives.' But they all brought with them 
those accomplishments and mental acquisitions which they had 
gained in polished society. "Wherever the Huguenots made a 
settlement they were among the most estimable citizens." 

Dr. Snow, in his history of Boston, states that "- during the 
summer of 1686 a number of vessels arrived at that port, hav- 
ing on board French refugees. 

" Many of whom were of the company who came to New 
Oxford, and had left England in reference to a settlement on 
that grant for a township." 

Thursday, July 5th. On this day Foy arrives. Several 
gentlemen came over with Foy, some of them with estates. — 
Diary of Samuel Sewell, vol. 1, p. 219. 

Gabriel Bernon arrived in Boston July 5, 1688, in the ship 
Dolphin, John Foy, master, with a company of forty persons. 

Bernon certifies he paid the passage of over forty persons to 
America. Bernon ship'd himself with his family, servants, 
and associates, with Capt. Foye and also with Capt. Ware. 

Foy did not sail from Gravesend before April 26, 1688, 
when Bernon signed a contract with Pierre Coruilly. — Bernon 
Papers. 

Bernon arrived in London from Amsterdam early in the year 
168Y. 

Here he was introduced to Mr. Robert Thompson by a 
French refugee. 

Mr. Thompson was the president of the Society for Promot- 
ing and Propagating the Gospel in New England. 

The General Court of Massachusetts had granted to a com- 
pany, organized with Robert Thompson at its head, a large 
tract of land, eight miles square, for the site of a settlement in 
New Oxford, in the Nipmuck country. No settlement had 
as yet been made. Bernon was made a member of this 
society for propagating the gospel among the Indians, and was 
ofiered a share in the company's Massachusetts lands, and be- 
18 



138 The Records of Oxford. 

came the founder of Oxford. Isaac Bertrand du Tuffeau, a 
refugee from Poitoii, hearing of Bernon's plans, ofiered to 
proceed to Kew England, obtain a grant, and commence a 
plantation. Bernon advanced money for the settlement. 

There was a French congregation in Boston established in 
1685 ; a French church was erected in 1715 on School street. 
Rev. Laurent Yan den Bosch was the first minister of the 
French congregation in Boston, having reinoved from Holland 
to England ; he conformed to the English church, and received 
a license from the Bishop of London. Mr. Yan den Bosch 
was not received favorably in Boston. He was succeeded by 
Eev. David de Bonrepos, who came from the island of St. 
Christo|)her to Boston in 1686, but subsequently in 1687 re- 
moved to New Eochelle, Staten Island, and New Paltz, in the 
New Yori; province. Bev. Pierre Daille came to Boston in 
1696, from New York, where he had been the French minister. 
Mr. Daille was possessed of great learning ; he wrote Latin 
fluently. 

The English sometimes attended the French church, as Rev. 
Pierre Daille was a favorite in society, but some of the English 
Puritans could not be pleased when a liturgy formed a part of 
the church service, or with any observance of Christmas or Easter. 

In the famous diary of Samuel Sewell there is the following 
item : 

" This day I spake with Mr. Newman about his partaking 
with the French Church on the 25th of December on account 
of its being Christmas day, as they abusively call it." 

Yet the excellent Cotton Mather said : 

" 'Tis my hope that the English Churches will not fail in 
Respect to any that have endured hard things for their faith- 
fulness to the Son of God." 



Note. — Diary of Samuel Sewall, vol. 1, p. 491. 
Note.— A large folio French Bible was presented to the French 
Protestant Church of Boston by Queen Anne. 



The Huguenots in Boston. 139 

In the French church after the benediction the congregation 
was dismissed with an injunction to remember the poor as 
they passed the alms chest at the church door. 

The will of Peter Daille, of Boston, clerk, is on record in 
the Probate Office of Suffolk County, Boston. 

In respect to his funeral, there is a " restriction that there 
be no wine at my funeral, and that none of my wife's re- 
lations have mourning clothes furnished them except gloves, 
and a request that ' all ministers of the Gospel within the sd 
Town of Boston and to the Rev. Mr. Walter of Roxbury 
shall have scarves and gloves, as well as my bearers.' " 

The following bequests : 

" I give all my French (and Latin) Books to the French 
Church in Boston (where I have been a Teacher) as a Library 
to be kept for the use and benefit of the Ministers." — Yol. II, 
p. 238. 

" Item : I give and bequeath to my loving wife Martha 
Daille, the sum of Three hundred and fifty pounds in Province 
bills or silver equivalent thereto, and my negro man serv* 
named Kuffy, and also all my plate, cloaths, household goods 
and furniture, to hold the same, to her the s*^ Martha Daille, 
her heirs executors admin™ and assigns forever. 

" Item: I give devise and bequeath unto my loving Brother Paul 
Daille (in Amsfort) in Holland and to his heirs and assigns for- 
ever all the residue of my estate both real and personal where- 
soever the same is lying, or may be found. 

" I give five pounds to old Mr. John Rawlins, French School- 
master. 

" Ulf^: I do hereby nominate and appoint my (good friend 
M"^ James Boudoin the sole) executor of this my last Will and 
Testament. 



Note. — Mr. Daill6 was married three times. His first wife Esther 
Latonice, died Dec. 1696. 



140 The Records of Oxford.^ 

" In Witnes8 whereof I have liereunto put my hand and 
seal the day and year first within written. 

"Daille." (Seal). 
" Witnesses : 

" Benjamin Wadsworth, 
" Fhebe Manley, 
" Martha Willis." 

Offered for prohate, May 31, 1715. 

The date given of the notice of liis death in the Boston 
News Letter of May 23, 1715: 

" On Friday morning last, the 20th current, Dyed here the 
Reverend Mr. Peter Daille, Pastor of the French Congrega- 
tion, aged about 56 years. He was a person of great Piety, 
Charity, affable and courteous Behaviour, and of exemplary 
life and Conversatiou, much Lamented, especially by his Flock, 
and was Decently Interred on the Lord's Day Evening, the 
22d Instant." 

Rev. Andre Le Mercier, a graduate from the Academy of 
Geneva, while in London, was invited to come to Boston by 
the French church, and one hundred pounds per year promised 
him. Le Mercier was a native of Caen, Normandy. 

Soon after the arrival of tlie French minister Le Mercier a 
small brick church was erected on School street upon the land 
which had been purchased with King William's gift. Mr. Le 
Mercier was the minister of the French church for thirty-four 
years until 1748. 

In 1730, O. S. 

Mr. Daniel Johonnot, 
Le Mercier, 
Andrew Sigourney, 

Note — In 1715 Andrew Faneuil, James Bowdoin, Daniel Johonnot 
and Andrew Sigourney were influential members in the church, and 
each at his death left a generous bequest to the minister of the French 
church. 



French Settlement of Oxford. 141 

Mr. Martin Brimmer, 
John Petel, 
Adam Duckeran, 
petitioned the General Court of Mass. Bay, praying the Court 
to confer on them the rights and privileges of denizens or Free 
born subjects of the King of Great Britain or otherwise as the 
Court shall see meet for reasons mentioned. 

The prayer was so far granted as that the petitioners shall 
within this Province hold and enjoy all the privileges and im- 
munities of his Majesty's natural born subjects. 
Jour. House Rep. 
Mass. Bay 

in New England. 

Feenoh Settlement of Oxford, 1687. 

There are no records of the Oxford French settlement until 
November, 1687. 

A letter of a French Protestant refugee in Boston, dated 
November, 1687, published by the French Protestant His- 
torical Society : 

[ TRANSLATION.] 

"The Nicmok country belongs to the President, himself 
(Gabriel Bernon), and the land costs nothing. I do not know 
as yet the precise quantity that is given to each family ; some 
have told me it is from fifty to a hundred acres, according to 
the size of a family. ... It lies with those who wish to 
take up lands whether to take them in the one or the other 
plantations (Boston or New Oxford) — on the sea board or in 
the interior. The Nicmok plantation is inland, at a distance 
of twenty leagues from Boston, and equally distant from the 
sea ; so that when the settlers wish to send any thing to Boston, 
or to obtain any thing from thence, they are obliged to trans- 
port it in wagons. In the neighborhood of this settlement 

Note, — Bulletin, xvi, 73. 



142 The Records of Oxford. 

there are small rivers and ponds abounding in fish, and woods 
full of game. M. Bondet is their minister. The inhabitants 
as yet number only fifty-two persons." — Bulletin, xvi, 73. 

At this time the number of French in Boston was verj'- 
small. 

" Here in Boston," says the French refugee, writing in 
November, 1687, "there are not more than twenty French 
families, and they are every day diminishing on account, of 
departing for the country to hire or buy land,* and to strive to 
make some settlement. They are expected this spring from 
all quarters. Two young men have lately arrived from Caro- 
lina, who give some news from that colony." — Report of a 
French Protestant refugee in Boston, 1687. Translated from 
the French by E. T. Fisher, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

May 24, 1688, is the date of the deed of Dudley and other 
proprietors, to Gabriel Bernon. The deed of division was 
executed July 3, 1688. 

These documents would prove that the thirty families were 
occupying their French plantations in the spring of 1688, the 
stipulated time having expired in the January previous. 

In the deed of division dated July 3, 1688, there is a de- 
scription of Mr. Dudley's portion of land, where it names his 
northeastern bound as "a white oak, square driven in the 
meadow, by the river which runs by and froui the French 
houses. This bound was about one-third of a mile down the 
river from where the road to Webster now crosses it, and of 
course due south from the nortii-east corner of the Augutteback 
pond."t 

This is the only record we have relating to the existence of 
the houses of the Frencih habitans at that time, and is a con- 
firmation of their location from tradition. 



*The French plantation of New Oxford. 

t The Augutteback pond is the original lake in Howarth's, not the pres- 
ent reservoir. 



The Old French Mill 143 

The deed to Beriion required that he should build a corn or 
grist mill within twelve months from the date of his deed ; 
1689 is the next record of the French settlement. 

In March, 1689, is the contract of Mr. Church for the mill 
for New Oxford. 

Mr. Bernon states that he had built in New Oxford "a corn 
miln [mill], a wash leathern miln, and a saw miln." The 
corn mill was the upper site near what is known as Kich's 
mill. The saw mill near the south village street on the high- 
way leading to the French fort. The wash leather mill on 
the same river, situated between the corn and saw mills. 

These mills were located upon the river east of the village 
street. In the village records in 1714, the one near the south 
end is called the " Old Mill Place," and was the saw mill. 
At a later date the corn mill was built, at the upper site. 

The Old French Mill of New Oxford. 
[ " contract De Mr Cherch pour Le Moulin de New-oxford.'''''] 

" Articles of Agreement had made concluded and agreed 
upon by and Between Caleb Church of Watertown Millright 
and Gabriel Bernon of Boston Merc*^ this Day of March 

Anno Domini One Thousand six hundred Eight Eight Nine. 

"Imp^ The said Caleb Church doth Covenant and Agree 
with the s*^ Gabriel Bernon that he shall and vill att his own 
Proper Costs and Charges Erect Build and ffinish a Corn or 
Grist mill in all poynts workmanlike in Sucli Place in the 
Village of Oxford as shall by the s*^ Bernon be Directed the 
8^ Mill House to be Twenty two foot Long and Eighteen foot 
Broad and Eleven foot stud Substantially and Sufficiently 
covered with a jett to Cover the Wheele and a Chamber fitt for 
the Laying and Disposing Corn Bags or other Utensills Neces- 
sary for the s*^ Mill and the s'' Church doth Covenant to find 
att his Own Proper Costs all the Iron Worke Necessary for 



144 The Records of Oxford. 

the s** Mill and all other Things Except what is hereafter 
Expressed 

" Item, the said Gabriel Bernon doth Covenant and Agree 
with the said Caleb Chnrch that hee will bee att the Charge of 
searhing Preparing and Bringing to Place the Mill Stones for 
the s'^ mill and that he will by the Oversight and Direction of 
the 8^ Church Make Erect and finish the Earth of the Dame 
that shall bee by the s'' Church adjudged necessary for the 
s'* Mill and also will dig and Prepare the Place where the Mill 
shall be Erected and also will allow to the s*^ Church five hun- 
dred foot of Boards and Persons to help for the Cutting 
Down of the Timber and will bee att the Charge of Bringing 
the Timber to Place and further doth Covenant to pay to the 
s** Church for his Labor and Pains herein the Sume of forty 
Pounds two thirds thereof in money the Other Third in goods 
att money price in Three Equall Payments One Third att the 
flailing the Timber One Third att the Raising and the Last att 
the finishing the s*^ mill 

" Lastly the s'' Church doth Covenant and Promies to finish 
the s'' Mill all sufiicient and workemanlike and Sett her to 
Worke by the Last day of Aug* next after the Day of the Date 
hereof In Wittness whereof they have hereunto sett their 
hands and seals the day and Year first above written 

" Caleb Churoh. [ S>eal.'\ 
" Sealed and Delivered 
" in Presence of 

" I. Bbrtrand Dutuffeau 
" Tho Dudley." 

On the back of the original paper is the following : 

" Within named Caleb Church do ingage and promis to find 
the stones and laye them on to make mele at my one costs and 
charge for the which m"^ Bernon doth ingage and promis to 



The Old French Mill. 14 5 

paye for the same one and twenty pounds in corent mony for 
the same to be concluded when the mill grinds 

" Boston May : y« 20 : 1689 

" Richard Wilkins Caleb Church 

" Edmond Browne Gabriel Bernon." 

lSeai:\ 

L s: d 

" Sor the mill in first the sum of forty pounds 40 : 00 : 

secondly for the stones of the said one and twenty 

pounds 21 : 00 : 

forthely for an addition to the house six pounds 6 : 00 : 

(sic) 



67: 00: 

Two receipts from Mr. Church : 

" Received one third Part of the within mentioned sume of 
forty well is Thirteen Pounds six shillings and Eight Pence 
two thirds in money and one third in Goods by me 

" Caleb Church." 

" More I have received fifty three pounds tirteen shillings 
wich the above said sum are in all the sum of sixty and seven 
pounds in full following our s** bargain Boston : 4 february 
1689-90 received by my 

" Caleb Church." 

" Peter Basset in witness 

" Gabriel Depont present." 

— Bernon Papers. — Dr. Baird. 
19 



146 The Records of Oxford. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Intercolonial Wars. 
1. King William's War, 1689. 

The French settlement is established at Oxford. 

The inhabitants are located on their plantations. Rev. Daniel 
Bondet is their minister; he so states in a letter to Lord Corn- 
bnry, and accompanied these French Protestants to New Oxford. 

The mills are being erected for the convenience of the in- 
habitants. 

When in 1689 King William's war was declared in the 
colonies it continued nearly eight years, and was the cause of 
the French inhabitants abandoning the settlement of New Ox- 
ford, it being unsafe to remain tVum the hostility of the Indians. 

]Vl^ Dan'. Bondet's Representations referring to N. Oxford, 
July 6'^ 1G91. 

He mentions it as upon " an occasion which fills my heart 
with sorrow and my life of trouble, but my humble request 
will be at least before God, and before you a solemn protesta- 
tion ag.iinst the guilt of those incorrigible persons who dwell 
in onr place. 

"The rome [rum] is always sold to the Indians without 
order and measure,. . . .insomuch that according the complaint 
sent to me by Master Dickestean with advice to present it to 
your honor. 

" The 26 of the last month there was about twenti Indians 
so furious by drunkncss that they fought like bears and fell 
upon one c-alled remt'S. . . . , w ho is ai)pointed foi' preaching the 
gospel amongst them he had l)een so much disfigured by his 
worlds that there is no hope of his recovery. If it was j^our 
pleasure to signitie to the instrumens of that evil the jalosie 
of your athoreti and of the publique tranquilit}^ you would do 
great good maintaining the honor of God, in a Christian habita- 



Daniel A lien , Representative. 1 47 

tion, comfortino^ some honest sonls wlik-h being incompatible 
with such abominations feel every day the burden of affiixion 
of their lioiiorable perigrination agijjravated. Hear us pray and 
So God be with you and prosper all your just undertakins and 
applications tis the sincere wish of your most respeetuous 
servant. 

" D. BONDET, 

" minister of the gospel) in a 
'' French CoMi^regation at JSew Oxford." 

1693 is the date of the following record : 

" Andre Sigourney aged of about fifty years doe affirme that 

the 2S day of nouenib'' last past he was with all of the village 

in the mill for to take the rum in the hands of Peter Canton 

and when they asked him way (why) hee doe abuse so the In- 

dieus in seleing them liquor to the great shame and dangers of 

all the company, hee s** Canti>n answered that itt was his will 

and that he hath right sue to doe and askini; him further if itt 

was noe hiin how (who) make soe many Indieans drunk he did 

answer that hee had sell to one Indian and one squa the valew 

of four gills and that itt is all uj^on w*'*' (which) one of the 

company named Ellias Dupeux told him that hee have meet an 

Indian drunk w*=^ (which) have get a bott (le) fooll (full) and 

said that itt was to the mill how sell itt he answered that itt 

may bee truth. 

" Andre Sigournat." 

" Boston, Dec. 5, 1693." 

The original document is in the possession of the Hon. 
Peter Butler. Quincy, Mass. — Huguenot Emigration to 
America, vol. 2, p. 273. 

In 1693 Daniel Allen was chosen representative from New 
Oxford to the General Court at Boston. Mr. Allen's name is 
found in the list for 16'J3, as from this place. 

In this county Lancaster, Mendon and Oxford were repre- 
sented. 



148 TJie Records of Oxford. 

Oxford having been granted by tlie Provincial government 
tlie privileo;e of representation was made liable to taxation. 

In 1694 a moderate assessment was made and sent with an 
order for its collection, to the "Constable of the French 
Plantations." 

The following was sent in reply to this order : 

[ Andrew Sigourney to Sir William Phipps^ etc.'] 

" To His Excellency Sik William Phipps, Kn't Capt. 
General and Governor in Chief of their Majesties' 
Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, 

AND TO THE HoNORABLE CoUNCIL " : 

" The humble petition of Andreiv Sigourney^ Constable of the 
French Plantation^ 
" Humbly Sheweth iinto Your Excellency and to Your 
Honors, that your petitioner received an order from Mr. James 
Taylor Treasurer for collecting eight pounds six shillings in 
our plantation for Poll money, now whereas the Indians have 
appeared several times tins Summer, we were forced to garri- 
son ourselves for three months together and several families 
fled, so that all our Summer harvest of hay and corn hath gone 
to ruin by the beasts and cattle which hath brought us so low 
that we have not enough to supply our own necessities many 
other families abandoning likewise, so that we have none left 
but Mr. Bondet our minister and the poorest of our plantation 
so that we are incapable of paying said Poll unless we dispose 
of what little we have and quit our plantations. Wherefore 
humbly entreat this Honorable Council to consider our miseries 
and incapacity of paying this poll, and as in duty bound we 
shall ever pray."* 

* Mass. Archives, C, 503. — Payment was not enforced. We find an 
act later, " abating, remitting and forgiving " taxes from this place to 
the amount of thirty-three pounds and six shillings, — Province Laws, 
698, p. 341. 



Rev. Daniel Bondet in Bostoji. 149 

This paper without date is endorsed, Read Oct. 16, 1694. 
— Mass, Archives, 0, 502. 

Mr, Sigoiirnev's declaration " The Indians have appeared 
several times this summer, we were forced to garrison our- 
selves for three months together, and several families fled." 
This statement reveals the cause of the decline and final ex- 
tinction of the settlement. 

Not long after the date of this petition, Rev. Mr. Bondet 
retired from the New Oxford settlement, and became a resi- 
dent of Boston. He left his plantation of two hundred acres 
of land, which he and his heirs never claimed. 

The Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the In- 
dians of New England was incorporated b}'^ Parliament in 
161:9. It was this society that appointed the Rev. Daniel 
Bondet to preach to the remaining Nipmuck Indians in the 
Indian town of Manchaug (Oxford village), where he com- 
menced his labors with both the French and these natives in 
1687. 

At this time Major Robert Thompson, the fii'st named in 
the grant for Oxford, was President of the Society. 

" During this summer of 1694, a daughter of Mr. Alard, one 
of the refugees in the settlement of Oxford, on leaving her 
home, near the lower mills, accompanied by two younger chil- 
dren of the family, was murdered by some roving Indians, and 
the younger children were made prisoners, and taken to Que- 
bec, Several months must have elapsed before the parents 
knew the fate of their children who were captured," — Note, 
Bernon Papers, 

The following sketch is a transcript from an interesting and 
valuable paper, entitled : 



Note. — Andrew Sigourney, Constable (Connetable), an ancient offi- 
cer only second to the crown of France, formerly the first military officer 
of the crown. — See Constable Montmorency. 



1 50 The Records of Oxford. 

" A Memoir of the French Frotestaxts who Settled at 
Oxford, Massachusetts, 1687, by Rev. Abiel Holmes, 
D. D., OF Cambridge, Mass., Cor. Sec't Mass. Hist. 
Sooiety." 

" Every thing concerning tins interesting colony of exiles has 
hitherto been learnt from tradition, with the illustrations de- 
rived from scanty records, and original manuscripts. Many of 
these manuscripts, which are generally written in the French 
language, are in tlie possession of Mr. Andrew Sigourney,* of 
Oxford, and the rest were principally procured by Mr. Sig- 
ourney for the compilation of this memoir." 

"Mr. Andrew Sigourney is a descendant from the first of 
that name who was among the original French settlers of Ox- 
ford. To his kindness I am entitled for nearly all my materials 
for this part of the memoir. After giving me every facihty at 
Oxford, in aid of my inquiries and researches, he made a jour- 
ney to Providence for the sole purpose of procuring for me the 
Bernon papers, which he brought to me at Cambridge. These 
papers were in the possession of Philip Allen, Esq. (Governor 
Allen, of Providence, a descendant of the 13ernon family), and 
who has indulged nie with the MSS. to the extent of my 
wishes." 

Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., visited Oxford, Mass., in April, 
1817. He writes: 

" I waited upon Mrs. Butlerf, who obligingly told me all she 
could recollect concerning the French emigrants." 

" Mrs. Butler was the wife of Mr. James Butler, who lives 



*Andrew Sigourney (Captain), son of Anthony Sigourney, of Boston, 
•was born in Boston, Nov. 30, 1752. 

Note. — Capt. Sigourney made his journey to Providence in a one- 
horse chaise, and subsequently to Cambridge, in the same manner of 
traveling. 

tMrs. Butler was the daughter of Anthony Sigourney of Boston, and 
was b. in Boston, March 23, 1741-2. 



Mrs. Butler s Reminisceiices. 151 

near the First Church in Oxford;^ and when I saw her, was in 
the seventy-fifth year of her age. Her original name was Mary 
Sigourney. She was a granddaughter of Mr. Andrew Sigour- 
ney, who came over when young with his father (Andrew 
Sigourney, 1st, from France). 

Mrs. Butlek's Keminiscences. 

Her grandmother's mother (the wife of Captain Germaine), 
died on tlie voyage, leaving an infant of only six months (who 
was the grandmother of Mrs. Butler) and another daughter, 
Marguerite, who was then six years of age.f 

"The information which Mrs. Butler gave me, she receiv^ed 
from her grandmother, Mrs. Mary (Germaine) Sigourney, who 
lived to the age of eighty-tlireo years, and from her grand- 
mother's sister. Marguerite (Germaine), married to Captain de 
paix Cazeneau, who lived to tlie age of ninety-five or ninety- 
six years, both of whom resided and died in Boston. 

Eeminiscknces of Mrs, Mary (Gf;rmaine) Sigourney of 
Boston, as Given to Mrs. Bdtler. 

" The refugees left France in 1684, or in 1685, with the 
utmost trepidation and precipitancy. The great grandfather of 
Mrs. Butler (Captain Germaine), gave the ftimily notice that 

*The church on the north common. 

Note. — Mrs. Butler in her interview with Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., 
narrates facts relative to the Germaine ancestry in leaving France, and 
not of the Sigourney family. 

fin an ancient French prayer-book of the Sigourney family, published 
1641, there is the record of Marguerite (Germaine) Cazeneau's birth, viz. : 
Aunt Casno, born ye 12 Decemb. 1671. Mother Sigourney (Mary Ger- 
maine), ye 2 March, 1680. 

In 1686, at the time of Mrs. Germaine's death, leaving an infant, Mary 
Germaine, the grandmother of Mrs. Butler, was six years of age, and her 
sister, Mrs. de Paix Cazeneau, was fifteen years of age. 



152 The Records of Oxford. 

they must go. Thej came off with secrecy, with whatever 
clothes they could put upon the children," and left without 
waiting to partake of the dinner which was being prepared for 
them. When they arrived at Boston they went directly to 
Fort Hill, where they were provided for, and there continued 
until they went to Oxford. 

Mrs. Butler's account was entirely verbal, according to her 
recollection. 

Mrs. Butler stated the " French built a fort on a hill at Ox- 
ford, on the east side of French river." She also stated another 
fort and a church were built by the French in Oxford. 

Dr. Holmes writes : 

" Mrs. Butler lived in Boston until the American Revolu- 
tion, and soon afterward removed to Oxford. Her residence in 
both places rendered her more familiar with the history of the 
emigrants than she would have been, had she resided exclu- 
sively in either. She says they prospered in Boston after they 
were broken up at Oxford. Of the memorials of the primitive 
plantation of her ancestors she had been very observant, and 
still cherished a, reverence for them." 

In 1817, very soon after my visit to Mrs. Butler, I received a 
letter from her husband, expressing his regret that she had not 
mentioned to me Mrs. Wheeler, a widow lady, the mother of 
Mr. Joseph Cooledge, an eminent merchant in Boston. Her 
maiden name was Oliver (Olivier). She was a branch of the 
Germaine family, and related to " Old Mr. Andrew Sigourney," 

Note. — French Families. — Mrs. Butler named as of the first emigrants 
from France, the following families : Bowdoin and Boudinot came to 
Boston; could not say whether or not they came to Oxford. Bouyer, 
who married a Sigourney. Charles Germaine, removed to New York. 
Olivier did not know whether this family came to Oxford, or not; but 
the ancestor, by the mother's side, was a Sigourney. 

Note. — Bouyer married Marie Anne, daughter of Daniel Johonnot, 
and Susanne Sigourney Jansen, who was daughter of Andrew Sigour- 
ney, Sr. 



Mrs. Biitlers Reminiscences. ~ 153 

in whose family she was brought up, and at whose house she 
was married.* Mrs. Butler supposed she must be between 
eighty and ninety years of age, and that being so much older 
than herself, she had heard more particulars from their ances- 
tors. But on inquiry for Mrs. Wheeler, in Boston, I found 
that she died a short time before the reception of the letters. 

How much do we lose by neglecting the advice of the son 
of Sirach ? "Miss not the discourse of the elders; for they 
also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn un- 
derstanding, and to give answer as need requireth." 

Db. Holmes Continues Mrs. Butler's Keminiscences. 

" Mrs. Johnson (Jansen) the wife of Mr. Johnson (Jansen), 
who was killed by the Indians in 1696, was a sister of the first 
Andrew Sigourney.f 

" The husband, returning home from Woodstock while the In- 
dians were massacreing his family, was shot down at his own door. 



*Mrs. Marguerite Wheeler was the daughter of Antoine and 
Mary Sigourney Olivier (French refugees). She was born at Annapolis, 
Nova Scotia, November 6, 1726. She was married three times; in her first 
marriage to Joseph Cooledge of Boston; in her second marriage 
to Capt. Israel Jennison of Worcester, a son of Peter Jennison and a 
nepliew of Hon. William Jennison; after Mr. Jennison's death she was 
married to the Rev. Joseph Wheeler, who was a member of the Provincial 
Congress in 1774; removed to Worcester in 1781, where he was register 
of the Probate Court till his death in 1793. Mrs. Wheeler died in Bos- 
ton, at her son's house, Mr. .Joseph Cooledge, 1816, aged 90 years. 

Note. — Captain Israel Jennison died in Worcester, September 19, 
1782. Mr. Joseph Wheeler died in Worcester, 1793. 

tMrs. Susanna Johnson (Jansen) was the daughter of the first Andrew 
Sigourney and sister to Andrew Sigourney, Jr., who rescued her from the 
Indians. It was early evening when the massacre of the Jansen family 
occurred ; Mrs. Jansen was anxiously awaiting the return of Mr. Jansen 
from Woodstock. 

The names of the three unfortunate children of Jean Jansen who were 
massacred by the Indians were : Andr6 (Andrew), Pierre (Peter), Marie 
(Mary). Jean Jansen was a native of Holland, but of French extraction. 
20 



154 The Records of Oxford. 

" Mr. Sigoiirnev, hearing the report of the guns, ran to the 
house and seizing his sister carried her out of a hack door and 
took her over French river, which thej waded through, and 
fled towards Woodstock, where there was a garrison. The 
Indians killed the children, dashing them against the jambs of 
the fire-place." 

From Woodstock Records. 
"The inhabitants were aroused at the break of day by the 
arrival of the fugitives with their heavy tidings. The news of 
the massacre spread through the different settlements, filling 
them with alarm and terror. The savages might at any 
moment biu-st upon them. Tlieir defenses were slight, ammu- 
nition scanty, their own Indians doubtful ; the whole popula- 
tion, men, woiiii n and children, hastened wnthin their fortifica- 
tions. Posts were at once dispatched to Lieu ten ant-General 
Stoughton, commander of the Massachusetts forces, and to 
Major James Fitch at Korwich, The day and night were 
spent in watching and terroi-, but before morning the arrival 

Note. — The chimney base of the Jansen house is still preserved in 
Oxford at the Memorial Hall, as a relic of the massacre of the Jansen 
family. The name of Jansen is, in the Boston Records, Jeanson. 

A memorial stone has been erected on or near the site of the dwelling 
on the old Dudley road, on land belonging to the late Charles A. Sig- 
ourny, Esq., of Oxford. Tradition states Captain Andrew Sigourney 
visited yearly the site of the Jansen house to mark the ruins. 

Note. — ''Mrs. Shumway, living near the Jansen house, showed Mrs. 
Butler the spot where the house stood, and some of its remains. 

"Col. Jeremiah Kingsbury, fifty-five years of age (1817), had seen 
the chimney and other remains of that house. 

" His mother, aged eighty-four years, told Mrs. Butler that there 
was a burying place called ' the French Burying Ground,' not far from 
the fort at Mayo's Hill. She herself remembered to have seen many 
graves there." 

Mrs. Shumway was the wife of Peter Shumway whose ancestor was a 
Husuenot from France. 



Woodstock Records. 155 

of Major Fitcb, with his brother Daniel, a few Enghsh sol- 
diers, and a hand of Peqiiots and Mohegans, somewhat allayed 
apprehensions, '^o enemy had been seen, but it was rumored 
they had divided into small companies, and were lurking about 
the woods. 

"It was proposed to leave a sutficient number of men for 
the defense of Woodstock, and send others to range for the 
marauders. The Wabquassets eagerly welcomed Major Fitch 
as their friend and master, and offered to join the Mohe- 
gans in their congenial service. The Woodstock authorities 
would gladly have employed them, but could not supply them 
with ammunition according to the laws of Massachusetts. To 
refuse their offer at this critical juncture, or to send them forth 
without ammunition, might enrage and forever alienate them, 
while conciliation and indulgence might make them the firm 
friends and allies of Woodstock. Under these circumstances, 
Major Fitch took the responsibility of employing and equip- 
ping these Indians ; calling tliem all together he took their 
names, and found twenty-nine fighting men, twenty-five native 
Wabquassets, and four Shetuckets, married to Wabquassets. 

"Eighteen Wabquassets and twenty-three Moiiegans then 
sallied out together, under Captain Daniel Fitch, to range 
through Massachusetts, with a commission from Major Fitch, 
as magistrate and military officer, asking all plantations to 
which they might come for supplies and accommodations. 
Scarcely had they gone forth when four strange Indians were 
discovered at the west end of the town, but whether enemies 
or not they could not tell. At evening a scout from Provi- 
dence arrived, being the captain with fourteen men, who had 
been out two days northward of Meudon and Oxford, but 
made no discovery. Captain Fitch and his men were 
equally unsuccessful, and the invading Mohawks effected their 
escape uninjured." 

Note.— Miss Larned'a History of Windham County. 



156 The Records of Oxford. 

" It is stated on the intelligence of those outrages, and the 
appearance of hostile parties near Woodstock, Major James 
Fitch marched to that town. On the 27th a party was sent 
out of thirty-eight Norwich, Mohegan and Nipmuck Indians, 
and twelve soldiers, to range the woods toward Lancaster, un- 
der Captain Daniel Fitch ; on their march they passed through 
Worcester, and discovered traces of the enemy in its vicinity." 

A Lettek from Captain Daniel Fitch to the Rt. Hon. 
William Stoughton, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor and 
Commander-in-Chief, etc. 

" Whereas we are informed of several persons killed at Ox- 
ford on Tuesday night last past, and not knowing what 
danger might be near to Woodstock and several other fron- 
tiers toward the western parts of the Massachusetts province, 
several persons offering volunteers, both English and Indians, 
to the number of about fifty (concerning which the bearer, 
Mr. James Corbin, may more fully inform your honor), all of 
which were willing to follow the Indian enemy, hoping to find 
those that had done the late mischief : In prosecution whereof, 
we have ranged the woods to the westward of Oxford, and so 
to Worcester, and then to Lancaster, and were freely willing to 
spend some considerable time in endeavoring to find any of the 
enemy that may be upon Merrimac or Penicook rivers, or any 
where in the western woods; to which and we humbly request 
your Honor would be pleased to encourage said design, by 
granting us some supply of provisions and ammunition; and, 
also, by strengthening us to any thing wherein we may be 
short in any respect, that so we may be under no disadvantage 
or discouragement." They may further inform your Honor 
that on tlie Sabbath day coming at a place called Half 
Way Kiver, betwixt Oxford and Worcester, we came upon the 
fresh tracks of several Indians, which were gone towards Wor- 
cester, which we apprehend were the Indians that did the late 



Jansen Massacre. 15^ 

damage at Oxford, and being very desirous to do some ser- 
vice that may be to the benefit of his Majesty's subjects, we 
humbly crave your Honor's favorable assistance. 

"Herein I remain your Honor's most humble servant, accord- 
ing to my ability. Daniel Fitch." 

" Lancaster, 2>\st August^ 1696. 

" Not far from Oxford, in the village of the Wabquassets, a 
clan of the Nipmuck tribe, near New Roxbury, or Woodstock, 
lived an Indian known to the English as ' Toby,' who was 
distinguished among his more sluggish and pacific people for a 
restless, scheming disposition. Toby is now the 'great man 
or captain ' among these Nipmuck Indians." 

"On Tuesday, the twenty-fifth of August, 1696, Toby, with a 
party of Indians, toward evening approached the ' French 
houses ' at New Oxford. The habitation of Jean Jansen was 
situated on what has ever since been known to the English as 
Johnson's plain." 

" Toby leaving his residence, is sometimes piivately among his 
relatives at Woodstock, and at hunting houses in the wilderness." 

" But his activity in the service of the Canadian enemy is 
greater than ever. At one time, he appears at a meeting of 
the Canada Mohawks with their brethren among the Five Na- 
tions, and tells them if they will ' but draw off the friend In- 
dians from the English,' they can ' easily destroy ' the New 
England settlements." 

Note 1. — Huguenot Emigratiou to American. Dr. C. W. Baird, vol. II. 

Note. — "January 29, 1700, Governor Winthrop, of Connecticut, in 
correspondence with Governor Bellemont of New York, referred to it as 
an occurrence to be remembered, and the friendly Mohegans wlio met in 
council at New London, spoke of Toby as the Indian 'tliat had a hand 

in killing one Jansen. One Toby the principal instigator who 

had a particular hand in killing one Jansen. ' " 

Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York. 
Vol. IV., pp. 612-620. 



158 The Records of Oxford. 

"At another time he is in Norwich, Connecticut, bearing a 
belt of wampum to the loyal tribes, inviting them to join in a 
general uprising."* 

Reminiscences of Mrs. Maky Germaine Sigoukney, as given 
TO Mrs. Mary Sigourney Butler. 

Immediately following the massacre, the Huguenots decided 
to abandon the settlement in New Oxford. Early on the 
morning of their departure, the different families bade adieu 
to their homes and plantations ; the doors of their dwellings 
were closed, and the narrow diamond casements were darkened 
by the heavy inside shutters, and their homes with their gar- 
dens, orchards and vineyards were again to be deserted for new 
homes, leaving their harvests and vintage unharvested. 



*" The lufoi'uiatiou of Black James, taken from his own mouth on 
Feb. the 1st, 1699-1700: 

" That he being in the woods a hunting, came to a place near Masso- 
muck to a great Wigwam of five fire places and eleven hunting Indians; 
he went into the Wigwam towards one end of it, and saw an Indian w'^'' 
seemed to hide himself, he turned himself towards the other end of the 
Wigwam, and met there a man called Cawgatwo, a Wabquasset Indian, 
and he asked if he saw any strange Indians there; he said I saw one I 
did not know; then Toby came to him, and another stranger and Caw- 
gatwo told him that was Toby ; he said he would go away to-morrow, 
they bid him not go away, for to-morrow they should discourse; the 
next morning they went out and called this James and i)id him come 
and see the Wampom they had gathered; he asked what that Wampom 
■was for, they said it was Mohawk's Wampom; the Dutchman had told 
them that the English had oi'dered to cut off all Indians, and thej' had 
the same news from the French, and therefore wa are gathering and send- 
ing Warajjom to all Indians, that we may agree to cut off the English; 
and Cawgatwo told this James that Toby brought that Wampom and 
that news from the Mohawks; then he went home and told his own 
company, and desired them to send Word to the Mohawks and Nihan- 
ticks of this news." 

(Information respecting a rumored rising of the Indians. Docu- 
ments, etc., Vol. IV, pp. 613-616.) 



The Departure of the Huguenots. 159 

The refugees repaired to their chapel for a matin service; 
they then retired to the little chiirchjard in front of the chapel 
to take leave of the graves of their friends. In imagination one 
can picture the little groups as they departed in a silent pro- 
cession and moved onward over the forest paths toward Boston. 

Nothing can be added to this simple narrative of Mrs. Mary 
Germaine Sigourney who was herself one of the refugees and 
whose reminiscences have been treasured so sacredly by her 
descendants. 

Mary Germaine, born in France in 1680, must have been at 
this time sixteen years of age, and her sister, Mrs. Marguerite 
(Sigourney) Cazeneau, twenty-five years of age. 

The Deserted House. 

Life and thought have gone away 
Side by side, 
Leaving door and windows wide: 
Careless tenants they ! 

All within is dark as night : 
In the windows is no light ; 
And no murmur at the door, 
So frequent on the hinge before. 

Close the door, the shutters close 
Or thro' the windows we shall see 
The nakedness and vacancy 

Of the dark deserted house. 

Come away; no more of mirth 

Is here or merry-making sound. 
The house was builded of the earth, 

And shall fall again to ground. 

Come away; for life and thouglit 
Here no longer dwell; 
But in a city glorious — 

A great and distant city have bought 
A mansion incorruptible. 

Would they could have stayed with us ! 

Tennyson. 

A French document signed in Boston, September 4, 1696, 
by the princijml French planters of " new oxford," shows that 
Mrs. Jeanson and her brother, Mr. Sigourney, had returned 



i6o The Records of Oxford. 

from Woodstock, to whicli place tliey had fled on the night of 
the massacre, August 25th, and, also, the abandonment of the 
French plantations in New Oxford, and the return of the 
French inhabitants to Boston. 

The first record we find of the French refugees after leav- 
ing New Oxford is the following certificate, signed in Boston, 
September 4, 1696, O. S. 

Nous sousignes certiffions et ateston que Monsr. Gabriel 
Bernon non a fait une despence [depense] considerable a new 
oxford pour faire valoir la Ville et encourager et ayder les hab- 
itans. et quil [qu'il] a tenu sa maison en etat jusques a ce que 
en fin les Sauvages soient venus masacrer et tuer John John- 
son et ses trois enfens [enfans] Jet que netant [n'etant] pas 
soutenu il a ete oblige et forse d'abandoner son Bien. en foy 
de quoy lui avons signe le present Billet, a Baston le 4® Sep- 
tembre 1696 :* 

Jermons Baudouin Benja fanetjil 

Jaques Montieb Nous attestons ce qui est desus et 

f marque [est] veritable. 

X marque de pais oazaneau 

MoussET Entien [Ancieu] 

V marque de Abraham Sauuage 

Jean Rawlings Ancien 

* marque de la vefue de Jean Jeanson 

P. Chardon 
Charle Germon Entien 



*NoTE. — We subscribe, certify and attest that Mr. Gabriel Bernon has 
been at a considerable expense at New Oxford for to make valuable the 
village, and to encourage, aid the inhabitants, and that he held his 
house and estate until the time the Savages came and massacred and 
killed John Johnson and his three children, and not being protected he 
was obliged and forced to abandon his goods. 

In faith of which we have signed the present bond. 

Bastan,* the 4th September, 1696. 

* The French orthography of Boston. 



French Records. i6i 

Nous certiffions que ce sont les marques de personnessusdites. 
DaillI; Ministre Baudodin 

Jacques Montier Barbut 
Elie Dupeux Andre Sigournat 

Jean Maillet Jean Millet Ant. 

Nous declarons ce que dessus fort veritable ce que Jolm 
Johnson et ces trois en fans ont ete tue le 25® Auost [Aout] 
1696 : en foy de quoy avons signe. 

MoNTEL Dupeux I. B. Marque de Jean baudouin 
Jacques Depont Philip [obscure] 
Jermon Rene Grignon 

Je connais et le soy d'experiance que Mr. Gabriel Bernon a 
fait ses efforts pour soutenir uotre plantation, et y a depance 
pour cet effet un bien considerable. 

Bureau L'aine [the elder or senior] 
Peter Canton 
We underwritters doe certifie and attest that Mr. Gabriel 
Bernon hath made considerable expences at New oxford for 
to promote the place and incourage the Inhabitants and hath 
kept his house until the s*^ 25*^ August that the Indians came 
upon s'J Plantation & most barbarously murthtred John Evans 
John Johnson and his three childrens. Dtieed Bastan 20th 
Septemb. 1696. 

John Usher 

Wm Stoughton 
John Butcher Increase Mather 

Laur Hammond Charles Morton 

Jer. Dummer 
Nehemiah Walter minf 
Wm. Fox. 

Translation. 
''By original manuscripts, dated 1696, and at subsequent 
periods, it appears that Gabriel Bernon, merchant, of an an- 

21 



1 62 The Records of Oxford. 

cient and noble family in La Rochelle, was the president 
of the PVench plantation in Oxford, and expended large sums 
of money for its improvement. An original paper in French, 
signed at Boston, Sept, 4, 1«)96," by the principal French 
planters, certifies this fact in behalf of Mr. Bernon ; and sub- 
joins a declaration that the massacre of Mr. Johnson [Jansen] 
and of his three children by the Indians was the unhappy cause 
of his losses, and of the abandonment of the place. 

Fkom an Ancient Record of 1697. 

All the places are named between ISew York and Boston 
" where travelers could find entertainment for man and beast." 

And over this forest path all the French refugees traveled 
from Oxford via Boston, to New York, and New Rochelle, 
N. Y. 

"From New York to Boston it is accounted 274 miles, thus, 
viz. : From the post-ofiicc in New York to Jo. C'lapp's in the 
Bowery, is 2 mile [which generally is the baiting place, where 
gentlemen take leave of their friends going so Icng a journey], 
and where a parting glass or two of generi^ais wine 

" If well applied, make tiieir dull horses feel 
One spurr i' the head is worth two in the heel." 

From said CUipp's (lis tavern was neir the corner of Bayard 
street), to half-way house, 7 miles; thence to King's bridge, 9; 
to old Shute's at East Chester, 6 ; to New Rochel Meeting- 
Ilouse, 4; to Joseph Norton's, 4; to Denham's, at Rye, 4; to 
Knap's, at Ilorseneck, 7 ; to Belben's, at Norwalk, 10 ; to Burr's, 
at Fairfield, 10 ; to T. Knowles' at Stratford, 9 ; to AndrewSan 
ford's, at Milford, 4 ; to Capt. John Mills', at New Haven, 10 ; 
to the widow Frisl lie's at Branford, 10 ; to John Hudson's, at 

Guilford, ; to John Grissil's, at Killinsworth, 10 ; to John 

Clarke's, at Sealu-ook, 10; to Mr. Plum's, at New London, IS; 
to Mr. Sextan's, 15 ; to Mr. Pemberson's, in the Narragansette 
country, 15; to the Freuchtown, 24; to Mr. Turnip's, 20; to 



Resettlement of Oxford. 163 

Mr. Woodcock's, 15; to Mr. Billings' farm, 11; to Mr. 
White's, 6 , to Mr. Fisher's, 6 ; and from thenc-e to the jjreat 
town of Boston, 10, where many good lodgings and accommo- 
dations may be had for love and money." 



Cn AFTER XIV. 



Resettlememt of the Fkench in Oxford — Intercolonial 

Waks. 

II. Queen Anne^s War. 

At the close of King William's War, the peace of Eyswick, 
in 1697, was of short continuation. In 17»'2, England was 
eno-ao-ed in war with France and Spain, and the American 
colonies were interested in what was called Qnecn Anne s 
War. 

In 1699 there was a resettlement of French Protestants at 
New Oxford, with the Rev. James Laborie for their minister. 
Queen Anne's War soon commenced. This war between Eng- 
land and France greatly exposed the New England colonies to 
increased Indian irruptions and barhari'ics. And this war 
caused the dispersion of the second French settlement in New 
Oxford. An ancient record of this settlement is the petition 
of the " Inhabitants of the town of New Oxford," by James 
Laborie, their minister, dated October 1, 1699." 

{•James Laborie " Ton Els Eccellencie and ton the Honorable 

Council.^^] 
" My Lord and most Honorable Council : 

" Mr. Bondet, formerly minister of this town, not only satis- 
fied to leave us almost two years before the Indians did com- 
mit any act of hostility in this place, but carried away all the 



164 TJte Records of Oxford. 

Ixjuks whieli lii'l lieeu i>:iven fovtlieuse of the plantation, with 
the acts and jnipers of the village, we most humbly supplicate 
your Excellency and the most Honorable Council to oblic^e Mr. 
Eondet to send back again said books, acts, and papers belong- 
ing to said i^Iantation." 

'* The inh.abitants, knowing that all disturbance that hath 
been before in this plantation, have happened only in that some 
people of this plantation did give the Indians drink witliout 
measure, and that at present there is some continning to do the 
same, we most humbly supplicate your Excellency, and the 
Honorable Council to give Mr. James Laborie, our minister, 
full orders to hinder those disturbances which put us in great 
danger of our lives. The said inhabitants complain also against 
John Ingall, that not only he gives to said Indians drink with- 
out measure, but buy all the meat they bring, and goes and sell 
it in other villages, and so hinders the inhabitants of putting 
up any jirovisions against the Winter. "We most humbly suppli- 
cate your Excellency and most Honorable Council to forbid 
said Jolm Ingall to sell any rhoom, and to transport any meat 
out of the plantation that he hath bought of the Indians, be- 
fore the said inhabitants be provided." 

ROVAL HlSTORICAI. SoCIETY, 11 ChANDOS StKEET, ) 

Cavendish Square, W., 28, 6, '84. f 

DfCAH Madam — At last I am able to send you all the in- 
formation that is probably now to be had here about M. 
Bondet. 

The " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," to which 
you refer, is now known as the " New England Company, 

* Note. — Mr. Bondet was the minister of the church and public clerk, 
and the custodian of the records. 

The records of the French settlement in Oxford, are not to be found 
with French records in Boston. They were doubtlessly sent to England 
bv Mr. Bondet. 



Records from Royal Historical Society. 165 

London,'' whose history 1 huvc the pleasnre to send yon by 
book post. The secretary of the company (Ur. Venning) has 
been kind enongh to make a most carefnl search throngh the 
papers of the company, but only, 1 regret to say, with small 
result, as all the papers of the company between the years 
1685 and 1G96 inclusive, were destroyed by fire many years 
ago. The only notice he has found is in the minutes of a 
meeting held 17th Feb., 1698 : 

"A letter from Richard, Lord Bellemont, to the governor, 
being read, relating to a proposal of providing five itinerant 
ministers to preach the Gospel to the Five Nations of the 
Indians, 

" Ordered, That Monsieur Bondet (recom?nended by Mr. 
John Ruick) be one of the said five ministers, and that the other 
four be sent from Harvard College in Cambridge, to be chosen 
by the Commissioners there. And that the said five ministers 
dwclHng in and preaching to the inhabitants of those Five 
Nations have cSGO per annum allowed them out of the stock of 
the Company in New England." 

With many regrets that I am able to add so little to your 
knowledge of M. Bondet, 

I remain, dear madam. 

Very faithfully, yours, 

P. Edward Dove. 
Mrs. Mary de W. Freeland. 



Lambeth Palace, S. E., ) 
13 March, 1884. \ 

Madam — I am directed by the Archbishop of Canterbury 
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 20 Feb. 

His Grace desires me to inform yon that he believes the So- 
ciety for the Propagation of the Gospel have no records prior 
to the establishment of the Society. 



1 66 TJie Records of Oxford. 

For information as to records, prior to that date, it niit^lit be 
advisable for yon to apply to Profe:*sor Baird of New York, 
or to S. AV. Kershaw, Esq., M. A., Librarian Lambeth Palace. 
I am, madam, 

Yours faithfully, 

Montague Fowlek, 

Chaplain. 
Mk8. Mary de W. Freeland. 

A Lkttkr from the Lord Bishop of London. 

London House, ) 

St. James' Square, S. W., v 

March 22, 1884. ) 

Madam — I have much pleasure in forwarding to yon the en- 
closed extract from Bishop Compton's Registry. 

Yon will observe that Daniel Bondet was ordained Deacon 
h Priest on the same day. 

No less than 27 Frenchmen were ordained by the Bishop of 
London between P'eb. 28, 1085, & August 2(5, 1686, and all of 
them were made Deacons and Priests at the same time. 

This is not the case with the English Clergymen ordained at 
the same period. They remained for some time in the Diaconate. 
I infer therefore that the French Clergy were ordained for 
service abroad where they would not have an opportunity of 
obtaining Priest's Orders ; and it is probable that they did not 
officiate in England. 



Note : — Lambeth Palace, S. E., ) 

11 June, 1884. ( 

Dear Madam — I am directed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to 
thank you for your letter of the 16th inst., and to send you the enclosed 

autograph. 

I am, dear madam, 

Yours faithfully, 
MANDEVILLE B. PHILLIPS, 

Asso. Secretary, 
Mrs. M. de W. Freeland. 



Letter from the Lord Bishop of Lofidon. 167 

You have I understand received from tlie Secretary of the 
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel all the information 
they have in their office respecting Mr. Bondet and I fear that 
there are no further records of him in England 

I am Madam 

Yr obedient Servant 
J. London. 
Mrs. Mary de W. Fkeeland, 

Documents Received fkom the Lord Bishop of London. 

Extract from Bishop Compton's Register of tlie Names of 
Persons ordained by him ; preserved in the registry of the See 
of London. 

A Latin copy of the ordination of Rev. Daniel Bondet was 
enclosed in the Lord Bishop of London's letter and the copy 
certified by the Sub-Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral. 

A translation. 

13 day of April 1686 

On this day Daniel Bondet of France was admitted to holy 
orders as Deacon and Priest by the above written Lord Bishop. 

The Lord Bisliop above written is the Reverend in Christ, 
Father Henry, Bishop of London by divine authority. 



FuLHAM Palace, ) 
June 30, 18b4. ) 
Mrs. M. de W. Freeland : 

The Bishop of London is very sorry that he cannot give 
Mrs. Freeland any information about records of the "Lords of 
Trade" or as to the office in whit-h they are likely to be found. 
lie has no doubt that the See. of the Soc. for Propagation of 
the Gospel, will give Mrs. Freeland any information he can if 
he be applied to but he has of course very little spare time. 



1 68 The Records of Oxford. 

" James Laborie in this particular most humbly supplicate 
your Excellency and the most Honorable Council to give him 
a peculiar order for to oblige the Indians to observe the Sab- 
bath Day, many of the said Indians to whom the said Laborie 
hath often exhorted to piety, having declared to submit them- 
selves to said Laborie's exhortations if he should bring an or- 
der with him from your Excellency, or from your honorable 
Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Stanton, or the most Honorable 
Council. 

"Expecting these favors, we shall continue to pray God for 
the preservation of your Excellency, and the most Honorable 
Council, etc. 

James Laborish." 

This petition is indorsed " L re, written 1st Xbr 99 with a 
proclamacon for the observance of the Lord's Day inclosed." 

MoNsiEUK Laborie to the Earl of Bellemont. 

" At New Oxford, this Vlth June, 1700. 
" My Lord : 

"AVhen I had the honor to write to your Excellency, I did 
not send ^ow the certificate of our inhabitants with reference 
to Monsieur Bondet, for the reason that they were not all here. 
I have at length procured it, and send it to your Excellency. 
As to our Indians, I feel myself constrained to inform your 
Excellency that the four who came back, notwithstanding all 
the protestations which they made to me u])on arriving, had 

Note. — Same year " His Excellency also acquainted the board that 
by express from New Oxford that he had received a letter from Lieu- 
tenant Sabin of Woodstock,'' "concerning the Indians who had gone 
eastward." — Council Rec, 94. 

Advised and consented that his Excellency issue fortii his warrant to 
Mr. Treasurer, to pay forty shillings unto John IngaU, sent with an ex- 
press from Oxford bringing the news." 

February 7th, 1699.— Council Rec, 95. 



Commerce of Oxford in 170G. 169 

no other object in returning than to induce those who had been 
faithful to depart with them. Thej have gained over the 
greater number, and to-daj they leave for Penikook — twenty- 
live in all — men, women and children. I preached to them 
yesterday in their own tongue. From all they say, I infer 
that the priests are vigorously at work, and that they are 
hatching some scheme which they will bring to light so soon 
as they shall find a favorable occasion." 

Earl of Bellemont to the Lords of Trade, London (July 

9, 1700). 

" Mons. Labourie is a French minister placed at New Ox- 
ford by Mr. Stoughton, the Lieutenant-Governor, and myself, 
at a yearly stipend of £30, out of tlie corporation money ; 
there are eight or ten French families there that have farms, 
and he preaches to them. * * * 

" The Indians about the town of Woodstock and New Oxford, 
consisting of about forty families, have lately deserted their 
houses, and corn, and are gone to live with the Penicook In- 
dians, which has much alarmed the English thereabouts, and 
some of the English have forsaken their houses and farms and 
removed to towns for better security. That the Jesuits have 
seduced these forty families is plain. * * * Mr. Sabin is so 
terrified at the Indians of Woodstock and New Oxford quit- 
ting their houses and corn, that he has thought fit to forsake 
his dwelling and is gone to live in a town. All the thinking 
people here believe the Eastern Indians will break out against 
the English in a little time." 

The Commerce of Oxford Nearly Two Hundred Years Ago. 
In 1700, during the time of the return of the French refu- 
gees to the settlement of Oxford, " from time to time wagon 



Note. — Pennacook was the name of an Indian settlement at the 
present site of Concord, N. H. 
22 



1 70 The Records of Oxford. 

loads of dres?ed skins were sent down to Providence, to be 
shipped to Bernon (who was residing- in Newport) for the sup- 
ply of the French hatters and glovers in Boston and New- 
port," quite a contrast to transportation by railroad of the pres- 
ent time. " Several of the French Protestants in Boston were 
engaged in the manufacturing of hats. They were sup}.)lied 
with peltries for tbis purpose by Bernon, wbo received the 
dressed skins from his ' Chamoiserie' at Oxford, and forwarded 
them to Peter Signac, John Baudouin and others in Boston, 
as well as to Jolm Julien, who jnirsued the same business in 
Newport. 

" A cargo shipped in August, 1703, to his agent Samuel 
Baker, comprised otter, beaver, raccoon, deer and other skins, 
valued at forty-four pounds." 

The dressing of chamois skins, and the making of gloves, 
were among the arts in which the Huguenots excelled. 

" Hat making was among the most important manufactories 
taken into England by the refugees. In France, it had been al- 
most entirely in the hands of the Protestants. They alone 
possessed the secret of the liquid composition which served to 
prepare rabbit, hare and beaver-skins ; and they alone supplied 
the trade with fine Candebec hats, in such demand in Eng- 
land and Holland. After the Revocation, most of them went 
to London, taking with them the secret of their art, which was 
lost to France for more than forty years. 

" It was not until the middle of the eighteenth century, that 
a French hatter, after having long worked in London, stole 
the secret the refugees had carried away, took it back to his 
country, communicated to the Paris hatters and founded a large 
manufactory." * 

A record from the French church in Boston, dated June 29, 

* History of the French Protestant Refugees, from the Revocation of 
the Edict of Nantes to Our Own Days. Charles Weiss. Vol. I, book 
III, Chapter III. 



A Petition to Gov. Bellemont. 171 

1702, signed by Peter Cbardon and Eene Grignon. The 
French Protestants of Boston, in a" petition to Governor Belle- 
mont, to the Council and Assembly of Representatives, then in 
session in Boston, for aid in support of the Gospel ministry 
among them. 

(We) "have borne great charges in paying taxes for the poor 
of the country, and in maintaining their own poor of this town 
and those of New Oxford, who by occasion of the war with- 
drew themselves, and since that they have assisted many who 
returned to Oxford in order for their re-settlement." (They) 
" have recourse to this honorable Assembly, which God has 
established for the succour of the afflicted, especially the faith- 
ful that are strangers." 

Gov. Dudley to (Boston, July 7th, 1702) Mr. Gabriel Ber- 
non, in reply to his petition for aid in the protection of his 
property against the Indians. " Herewith you have a commis- 
sion for captain of New Oxford. I desire you forthwith to re- 
pair thither and show your said commission, and take care that 
the people be armed, and take them in your own house, with a 
palisade, for the security of the inhabitants ; and if they are at 
such a distance in your village that there should be need of an. 
other place to draw them together in case of danger, consider of 
another proper house, and write me, and you shall have orders 
therein. " I am, your humble servant, 

"J. Dudley." 

The resettlement of French Protestants in Oxford, is named 
in the Council records. In the summer of 1703, soldiers were sta- 
tioned here for the protection of the inhabitants from the Indians. 

"An accompt of wages and subsistence of thirteen soldiers, 
whereof one a sergeant, posted at Oxford and Hassanamisco in 



Note. — In 1702. the Indians were conspiring to attack the settle- 
ment. Lieut. Tobin of Woodstock reported to the Massachusetts Coun- 
cil, April 9, 1702: " That the Indians were plotting mischief, and that 
he had ordered a garrison to put in repair and a military watch kept." 



172 



Tlic Records of Oxford. 



tlie sniniiier past, was laid before the board and there examined 
and stated the whole sum, with other incidental charges amount- 
ing to forty pounds, fifteen shillings, three and a half pence. 

"^^ Ordered paid Dec. 24th, 1703." 

— Council Rec, 509. 

In 1704 Bernon had transactions in business with people in 
New Oxford. 



CHAPTER XY. ^ 

J. Dudley to G. Bernon. 

" Boston, 20^A May, 1707. 
" Sr : I am very unhappy in my affayres at Oxford, both 
with your Coo])er & the negro Tom. I must desire you to 
take other care of your alfayres than to improve such ill men 
that disquiet the place, that I have more trouble with them 
than with seven other towns. If you do not remove them 
yourself, 1 shall be obliged to send for the Negro & turn him 
out of the place, & I understand Cooper is so criminal that the 
law will dispose of him. I pray you to use your own there 
not to Destroy or Disturb the Governour or your best friend, 
who is, Sr., your humble servt., "J. Dudley. 

" Send an honest man and he shall be welcome. I pray you 
to show what I write to Mr. Grignon." 

" To Mr. Gabriel Bernon, Newport, Road Hand." 

Mr. Bernon soon makes an engagement with new tenants. 



Note 1. — In 1704, James Laborie left Oxford, and was in October 
established over the French church in New York. A final abandon- 
ment of the settlement ensued, and no further record of its history is to 
be traced. 

Note 2. — The accounts of the Chamoiserie show that Oxford con- 
tinued to be occupied by the French until 17(t4. 



Bernon^s Contract. 173 

Agreement between Gabriel Bernon and Oliver and Na- 

THANAEL CoLLER. 

" Know all men by these presents that I Gabril Bernon hath 
baro-ind with and let vnto Oluer Coller and Nathanel Coller 
my howse and farrae at new oxford Called the olde mill; with 
four Cowes and Dalfes the which said farm and Cowes I have 

let for five years upon the conditions as foloweth that they 

brake up and monnure and plant with orchod two Acers and 
half of land with in the s*^ Term of Fine and also to spend the 
remain-part of their time to work upon the other lands ; and 
all that is soed dow now to ly to English grass and at the end 
of fine years for s"^ olner Coller and Nathanel Coller for them 
to resine up peceble posestion of the s" hous farm and four 
Cowes and Calves and half the increes to the s^ Gabril Bernon 
or his heirs or asigns the s"^ two Acers and half of land ly a boue 
the spring on the side of the hill ; and for tliare in Conrigment 
I haue let them one pare of oxen for one year, the which s'^ 
oxen they must Deliuer to me at s*^ term ; and in case the oxen 
be lost they must make them good ; Exsept by the enemy. 
" to the performence of this oar bargin we have heer unto 

set our hands in the presents of us 

memerandom they have 

ingaged to brak up half 

one Acer of land evere 

year and to pay the three 

first yers six shilling p year 

and two last years to 

pay tweny shilling p " The mark of X Oluer Coller 

year and we have " The mark of — Nathanael Coller 

ualled the s'^ four 

Cows at tw pounds 

" Joseph Twichels 

"Thomas Allerton'' 



174 The Records of Oxford. 

G. Bernon to Gov. Dudley. 

Providence, 1st March., 1710. 
Translation. 

" Mr. Dudley your son told me the last time I had the 
honour to see him, that it was your Excellency's design to re-es- 
tablish New Oxford : as it also appears through the public news. 

" I hope your Excellency will be so good as to take into con- 
sideration the fact that Mr. Hoogborn has done his utmost to 
ruin my interest in the said Oxford. 

" He has caused Couper to abandon the old mill, and Thomas 
AUerton [to leave] my other house, threatening that he would 
hinder them from haying, and [declaring] that I had no power 
to settle them. When I made complant of this to him he told 
me that he would drive me from the place, myself. 

"Samuel Hagburn was one of the thirty English settlers, and 
was the first named in the deed of Dudley, etc., to them. In 
1726 an entry was made of an extract from his will, on the 
records of the Congregational Church, by which, although not 
a member of it, he bequeathed to it the sum of fifty pounds." 
For that I have been treated, after spending at the said Oxford 
more than fifteen hundred pistoles [and] the better part of my 
time during more than twenty years possession. 

" Should it please your Excellency to examine the case you 
will find that I have chief had at heart the furtherance of your 
Excellencies wishes. I have been found singularly attached to 
your person, more than to all else that I have had in the world. 

" It is notorious that the said Mr. Hoogborn, your brother, 
has caused the planks of my granary to be torn up ; that he 
has conveyed them elsewhere, and that by his orders the oxen 
that I was reserving to be fattened have been put to work." 

By this record, notwithstanding Dudley's censure of Coo- 
per, he remained in occupancy of the farm called the " Old 
Mill," and that he and the Collers had been dispossessed by 
Hagburn. 



G. Ber 110)1 s Letter to Dudley. 175 

Bernon thus relying upon his possession to ownership of 
the lands which were occupied iiy his tenants without convey- 
ance by deed. 

G. Bernon to the Son of Gov. Dudley. 
"Sir: ''October, 1720. 

" I would entreat you to assist me in petitioning his Excel- 
lency and the General Assembly, inasmuch as the inhabitants 
of New Oxford oppose my rights to lands. 

"The Court and Government can confirm my title, and then 
I can dispose of what I have there, and pay my debts, and have 
wherewithal to help myself ; and thereby ease my mind and 
body, which is now more than the Pope can do. 

"Tiie above said inhabitants oppress me as I can make it 
appear by Maj. Buor, who would have bought tny plantation. 
The inhabitants told him not to do it; — that my title was 
nothing worth, that they also pretended that they would dis- 
pute my title with Mr. Dudley and Mr. Thompson. They 
also abused me in a very outrageous manner in Maj. Buor's 
presence ; as he states in his certificate, which I make bold to 
send to you enclosed in this. 

" Epliraim Town, John Elliott, and John Chamberlin, for 
whom I have advanced considerably to uphold my said planta- 
tion, will not pay n.e what they owe me. Besides, the loss of 
my servant, who was drowned, was fifty pounds loss to me. 
These men, and one Josiah Owen, my last tenant, hugger-mug- 
ger together to cheat me of a hundred pounds in cattle and 
movables that I had upon the place, so that I am not able to 
advance any more. 

" I see myself about ruined by this oppression and malice. 
Sir — you are perfectly acquainted with the affairs at New 
Oxford, and I do not understand things as well as I would. 
Therefore I intreat of you. Sir, to help me. Your charity and 
generosity are (so to speak) interested in it. 



I -^6 The Records of Oxford. ^ 

" I am so hard driven by iny dunning creditors — the masons 
and carpenters and others that I employed to build my house 
in Providence, that I know not what to do : and, besides my 
wife now lying in, six or seven children implore my compas- 
sion, which makes me implore that of Government, and yours. 
Sir, that my title may be confirmed, after a possession of 36 
years, so that I may sell it. Within 30 years I have laid out on 
it £200, for which reason my family did slight me, as well as 
my best friends. I have always been protected by Mr. Dudley, 
your honored father, who always thought as 1 did, that I might 
sell it, and not be in any wise molested. But I don't know 
whether it won't be a mistake. Indeed, one cannot always 
forsee the events of things, often hid from the wisest. But 
this I see, — the Evil one still reigns, and God suffers it, to try 
his children. 

" My great desire is to keep myself in the fear of God, and 
to love my neighbor, and to seek lawful means to maintain my 
family. My great age of nearly eighty years does not dispense 
me of this duty. I address myself to you with all humility to 
assist me, that J may be assisted by the Governor. Such a 
testimony of your love and favor will rescue me, to terminate 
my days in America, or to return once again to Europe. 
Surely my staying or going depends upon the action of the 
Assembly. But be it as it will. Sir, as an honest, well-minded 
man ought, I pray for the government, and all the faithful in 
Christ, " Gabkiel Bernon. 

" From my chambers at Mr. Harper's, 

"adjoining unto Judge Sewalls, Oct. 1720." 

"In Sept., 1714, it was voted that ' the committy shall take 
care to notify Mr. Gabriel Bernon to come and join us in set- 
tlino- division lines between us and him.'* Again in Oct., 
1718, a similar vote was taken." f 

* Prop. Rec. 3. t Ibid. 27. 



Bcriioi{s Grants of Land. 177 

" But there was a good reason why this matter was not at- 
tended to by Bernon. The complicated nature of the case 
is shown in his deed from Dudley and company. Du Tufteau, 
at the bejzinnino; of the settlement had 'elected' seven huu- 
dred and fifty acres, which were deeded to him and Bernon 
jointly. Afterward, to Bernon, seventeen hundred and fifty 
acres were granted, which were deeded to him in his own right, 
and also to Bondet were deeded two hundred acres.* These 
grants were all embraced in one plat and conveyed as a whole. 
"We have no intimation of a mutual division, and without this, 
no power but a court conld give to either of the grantees an 
indisputable right to a single acre which should be set off and 
located. 

"Another point which is shown in the deed, added to the 
complications, namely; that a very valuable portion of the 
land taken up and occupied by Du Tuffeau and Bernon, jointly, 
was not included in the conveyance. This was a long triangu- 
lar tract of nearly five hundred acres, lying between Bernon's 
land, as deeded, and the land of the village proprietors. Its 
westerly line ran over the high land between the site of the 
fort and Bondet hill, and continuing in a course north, thirteen 
degrees east, crossed the present Sutton road at the fork, about 
three-fourths of a mile easterly of Main street. This line is 
called in the town records, 'Bernon's line,' and has been 
marked on the western boundary of the estate now known as 
the Ebenezer Rich farm, by permanent division fences to the 
present day. 

" On this tract were the fort and the grounds around it, where 
Bernon had expended considerable money, and the upper mill 
site. It also enclosed some of the best farming lands within 
the limits of the town. Of course Bernon was anxious to re- 
tain it, but he could plead possession only, as ground of owner- 



* There is no proof that Bondet ever had possession of this grant or 
received any benefit from it. 
23 



1/8 The Records of Oxford. 

sliip. In conveying his property he followed the deed he had 
received from Dudley and company, and did not include the 
disputed tract. 

" Du Tuffeau having died before the autumn of 1720, Ber- 
non applied to the probate court of Suffolk county for a letter 
of administration on his estate, as chief creditor. This was 
granted Dec. 5th, and he was enabled in due course of law 
thereby to take possession of the twenty-tive hundred acres as 
sole owner. Negotiations with Thomas Mayo, Samuel Davis 
and William Weld, all of Roxbury, soon followed, and a sale 
of the tract was made to them early in the spring of 1721, for 
twelve hundred pounds, current money of New England.* 

" On March 27th, 1721, at a meeting of the village proprie- 
tors to hear what the ' Gentlemen which signifie that they 
have bought Mr. Bernon's farm, have to be communicated to 
the inhabitants and proprietors of Oxford village,' and to 'act 
as shall be thought best to come at their own rights : ' — 

" ' Voted and chose Dea. John Town, Benoni Twichel, and 



* The quantity of laud sold was twenty-five hundred acres, and the 
description in the deed is as follows: "Beginning at a walnut tree 
marked S. D., standiug at the southwest corner of Mauchaug, and thence 
running west, fifteen degrees south, three hundred and fifty-two perches, 
from thence to be set off by a line to be drawn parallel to the utmost 
easterly line bounds of the said Oxford village and township, as far as 
will complete the full quantity of twenty-eight hundred and seventy- 
two acres." 

Of this were reserved one hundred and seventy-two acres of meadow 
in one piece which Dudley gave to the village. But the two hundred 
acres for Bondet's farm are not mentioned. A provision in it required 
the annual payment of forty shillings quit-rent to Dudley, etc. This 
deed was dated March 16th, 1720-1, and is recorded in Suf. Co. Rec, 
XXXV, 119. 

It is said that Weld, coming to see the premises in the spring after the 
snow had gone, was dissatisfied, and soon after sold his share to Davis. 

"Thomas Mayo never came to Oxford, but his son John did, and 
Samuel Davis came in 1738 or 9, probably the latter." 



Berjions Deed to Mayo, Davis & Weld. 179 

Isaac Learned ' to act as a committee to establisli the line be- 
tween the said farm and the village, and instructed them to 
'improve' John Chandler, Esq., as surveyor, 

" The report of this committee, dated April 11th, 1721, was 
accepted at a meeting of the proprietors, Sept. 2 1st, 1721. In 
accordance with its terms, a portion of land at the north end of 
the Bernon tract was released to the village, and the triangular 
plat which had been in dispute was yielded to the purchasers. 

" John Mayo, son of Thomas, made a home on the height 
near the fort, and died there, and his descendants continued to 
occupy the premises for many years. Davis chose for his 
dwelling, a spot nearly half a mile northerly from the fort, on 
the farm now known as the Nathaniel Davis place, where he 
died.* 

" The facts in connection with the delivery of the deed to 
Bernon are remarkable. It will be remembered that it was 
drawn May 24rth, 168S, probably upon the completion of the 
contract to settle the thirty families. There was in it, how- 
ever, a consideration which had not been rendered, namely, the 
building of a grist mill, for which reason it was not at once de- 
livered. A little less than two years passed, the mill was built, 
and Bernon had Church's receipt for the same. Two days 
after the date of this receipt, we find two of the grantors 
acknowledging the deed before a magistrate — but still it was 
not delivered. Years passed; the first colony flourished a while 
and became extinct — the second colony began and continued five 
years and was abandoned — for nine years afterward the planta- 
tion lay waste. Then the thirty English families came in and 
laid the foundations of a permanent settlement. Bernon gave 
np his right in the mills, and gave the valuable stones and irons 
for the benefit of the new colony. At last, after his hopes and 



* Persons living in Oxford well recollected the leaden sash and the 
small diamond panes of glass of the old windows of this ancient house 
of Samuel Davis, which many years ago gave place to more modern ones. 



I So TJie Records of Oxford. 

expectations had been again and again disappointed, and lie had 
grown old, and become unable for lack of means to assist the 
settlement further, on Feb. 5th, 1716, nearly twenty- eight 
years after the deed was written, it was acknowledged by 
Dudley, and passed over to him." 

"Six days afterward, Feb. 11th, 171C, he conveyed the property for 
a thousand pounds to James Bowdoin,* who held it until ^larch 16th, 
1720-1, when he re-conveyed it to Bernon,f who the same day executed 
the deed to Mayo, Davis and Weld." 

* Suf. Rec, xxxi, 79. 

\ " This conveyance was made by returning the deed he had received, 
■with an indorsement upon it in legal form, signed, sealed, and wit- 
nessed by John Mayo, Samuel Tyler, Jr., and acknowledged before John 
Chandler, Justice of Peace." — Ibid. 

Deed, Dudley, etc., to Bernon. 

"This indenture made the 34th day of May A. D. 1G88 * * * be- 
tween Joseph Dudley of Roxbury, William Stoughton of Dorchester 
* * * Esqs. Robert Thompson of London * * * Merchant, Daniel 
Cox of London aforesaid. Doctor in Physick, and John Black well of 
Boston * * * Esq. on the one part and Gabriel Bernon of Boston 
aforesaid, Merchant on the other part — Witnesseth 

" Whereas Isaac Barton, [Bertrand,] G-entleman, hath heretofore had 
the allowance [of said parties of the first part] to elect and make choice 
of 500 acres of land * * * within * * * the southeast angle of 
[a tract of land called New Oxford village] to and for the use of him 
the said Barton and the said Gabriel Bernon, * * h: and whereas 
since the electing of the said 500 acres, he [BetrandJ hath proposed that 
he may have 250 acres more of said land * * * to the use afore- 
said ; and he the said Gabriel Bernon that he may have 1750 acres more of 
the said lands, * * * adjoining to the said 500 acres to and for the 
the use of said Gabriel Bernon, his heirs and assigns — 

" Now these presents witness that [the above named parties of the 
first part] as well for and in consideration that the said Gabriel Bernon 
liath undertaken and by these presents doth undertake and engage 
within twelve months after the day of the date of these presents 
at his own proper cost and charges to erect build and maintain a 
Corn or Grist Mill in some convenient and fitting place within the said 



Deed of Gov. Dudley to Bernon. i8i 

By another paper in the MS. Collection, it appears that 
Mr. Bernon petitioned the King in council for certain privi- 
leges, which indicate the objects to which the enterprise of this 
adventurer was directed. It is entitled, " the humble Petition 
of Gabriel Bernon of Boston in l^ew England." It states : 



town of Oxford for the use of the inhabitants of said town and village 
[unto which mill * * * g^id inhabitants shall be obliged] at all 
times forever hereafter to make their suit as also for and in con- 
sideration of the sum of 5 shillings * * * paid by said Bernon 
* * * and the rents and convenants hereafter mentioned * * * 
[the parties of the first part] do grant bargain sell and confirm to the 
said Isaac Barton and Gabriel Bernon * * * all that tract * * * 
of 500 acres * * * elected as aforesaid by said Isaac Barton, to 
hold to them the said Isaac Barton and Gabriel Bernon * * * and 
all that and those 250 acres more desired by said * * * Barton as 
aforesaid, and 1750 acres more desired by the said Gabriel Bernon ad- 
joining to the said 500 acres * * * -within the southeast angle of 
Oxford village * * * as foUoweth * "'= * 

"Beginning at a walnut tree marked (S. D.) standing at the west 
angle of Manchaug — and thence running W. 15° S. 352 perches, and 
from thence to be set off by a line to be drawn parallel to the utmost 
easterly line and bounds of the said Oxford village =>= * * as far as 
will complete the full quantity of 2873 acres * * * so that if the 
said line shall not extend unto and include and take in the utmost wes- 
terly part of the said 500 arces **•-;= gaid Barton elected for him- 
self and the said Gabriel Bernon * * * the 'said 500 acres shall 
nevertheless be included * * * within the * * * 2872 acres 
aforementioned * * * the whole quantity of 2872 acres shall be set 
out accordingly whereof the forementioned 500 acres and 250 acres more 
desired by the said Isaac Barton to be jointly held and enjoyed by them 
the said Isaac Barton and Gabriel Bernon * * * also 1750 acres 
more thereof to be held and enjoyed by him the said Gabriel Bernon [his 
heirs and assigns for their use and behoof] and 200 acres more thereof to 
the use of Daniel Bondet, his heirs and assigns forever. 

" Excepting and reserving to [said parties or the first part] 173 acres of 
meadow land * * * in one entire parcel and adjoining unto the 
lands of Manchaug aforesaid [in such place as they may choose.] 

" And providing [the parties of the first part or any two or more of 



1 82 The Records of Oxford. 

" That being informed of your majesty's pleasure, particularly 
in encouraging the manufactory of Rosin, Pitch, Tarr, Tur- 
pentine, etc., in New England, in which manufactory your 
Petitioner has spent seven years time and labor and consider- 
able sums of money and has attained to such knowledge and 
perfection, as that the said comodities made and sent over by 
him have beene here approved of and bought for your Majesty's 
stores ; your Petitioner's seal and affection to your Majesty en- 
couraged him to leave his habitation and affairs (being a mer- 
chant) and also his family to make a voyage to England on 
purpose humbly to propose to your Majesty in how great a 
measure and cheap price the said Navall stores may be made 

them resident in New Enpjland may lay out over such lands] such com- 
mon paths or ways * * * as they shall judge necessary or commodious 
for the said [township or village.] Yielding and paying tlierefor yearly 
and every year on the 24th of March at or in the Town house of Boston 
aforesaid, unto [said parties of the first part] or to their certain attorney 
deputy or agent by them * * * appointed to receive the same, the 
annual rent of 40 shillings current money of New England. * * * 
And the said Gabriel Bernon for himself his heirs and assigns * * * 
doth convenant, grant and agree with [the parties of the first part] that 
he [or his heirs or assigns] will well and truly pay or cause to be paid to 
the said [parties of the first part] the said yearly rent [as aforesaid] and 
that in case of non-payment thereof or any part thereof [it shall be law- 
ful for the parties of the first part to] enter said premises and distrain 
and the distresses there found from time to time to lead carry away sell 
or dispose at such rates as they can get for the same * * * and with 
the proceeds imburse and satisfy themselves [for all arrearages and 
charges] rendering the overplus (if any be> to him the said Gabriel Ber- 
non * * * 

" And that in case of his the said Isaac Barton and Gabriel Bernon 
deserting or relinquishing the said lands [or there shall not be found on 
said premises sufficient goods] for satisfying within any twelve months 
after the same shall grow due, this present grant and all the matters and 
things therein contained shall thenceforth cease, determine, and be ut- 
terly null and void, and the lands * * * shall revert * * * 
unto [the said parties of the first part] and shall and may lawfully be by 



Bernons Petition to the King. 183 

and broui^lit into any of your Majesty's kingdomes to the great 
promotion and advantage of the Trade and Commerce of your 
Alajesty's subjects of New England, all which is most evident 
by the annexed paper." 

He prays his Majesty to take the premises into consideration, 
and to grant him his royal patent or order for providing and 
furnishing his Majesty's fleet with the said stores under the con- 
ditions his Majesty in his royal wisdom should think fit, or 
otherwise to except him out of any patent to be granted for the 
said man u factor}', that he, may have liberty to go on and con- 
tinue in the said manufactory in any part of New England." 

This paper is indorsed: "Pcticon of Gabriel Bernon." 



them entered upon, possessed and enjoyed as in their former estate 

" [The parties of the first part] convenaat and agree with said Isaac 
Bartron and Gabriel Bernon their heirs and assigns [that they the said 
Bartron and Bernon performing the afore named acts faithfully as speci- 
fied, mayj Iiavc hold and enjoy the premises hereby granted against [said 
parties of the first part] or any other person or persons lawfully claiming 
or to claim the same or any part thereof =t= * * by, from or under 
them or any of them. 

"In witness whereof the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Rob- 
ert Thompson, Daniel Cox and John Blackwell have hereunto set their 
hands and seals the day and year first above written. Joseph Dudley 
and a seal, William Stoughton and a seal, John Blackwell and a seal. 
Feb 6th 1690 William Stoughton Esq. and John Blackwell, Esq. 
acknowledge this instrument to be their voluntary act and deed. 

*' Before Sam>. Sewall AssHt 
"Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us by Joseph Dudley, 
William Stoughton and John Blackwell, Daniel Allen, Richard Wilkins, 
Jno. Herbert Howard, Suffolk etc., Boston 5th of February 1716. 

" The Hon. Joseph Dudley Esq., personally appeared before me the Sub- 
scriber one of his Majesty's justices of the Peace in Said County, and 
did acknowledge this Instrument to be his free act and deed. 

"Samuel Lynde — February 5th 1716. 

'' Received and accordingly entered and examined. 

"John Ballantyne Regr." 

Suffolk Co. Rec. XXX, 268. 



1 84 TJic Records of Oxford. 

"Paplers qui regarde deux voyages de Londre pour les 
affaires a fabriquer des Resme. 

Exarane le premier Octobre 1719." 

By a statement of G. Beriion, intended to prove liis claim 
upon the plantation, it ap])ears tliat he considered " the Tlan- 
tation of New Oxford " indebted to him for 2,500 acres of land, 
besides the amount of expenses laid out by him upon the place. 
This claim appears to have been made about the year 1717, or 
1720; for on his account there is a charge of interest " for above 
30 years." The statement alleges that 500 acres of the plan- 
tation were "granted by their excellencys Mr. Dudley and Mr. 
Stoughton to Isaac Bertrand Du Tuffeau and Gabriel Bernon 
in the year 1G87," and that 250 acres were "granted since, 
making in all 750 aikers ; " and that " their excellencys Mr. 
Dudley and Mr. Stoughton did grant to the said Mr. Bernon for 
his own use alone 1750 aikers more, which makes in all 2500 
aikers, which Mr. Bernon justly claims, upon which he hath 
built a corn miln, a wash leathern miln and a saw miln, and 
laid out some other considerable expenses to improve the town 
of E'ew Oxford, as he has made appear by the testimonys of 
several worthy gentlemen whose names he has hitherto sub- 
joined." 

By a plan of Mr. Gabriel Bernon's land in Oxford, taken in 
1717, it appears, that it measured 2,672 acres, "exclusive of 
Mr. Daniel l^ondet's of 200 acres, and out of said 2672 acres 
must come out 172 acres of meadow in one entire piece, which 
Mr. Dudley and Compa. give to the village." The tract of 
land " within this Plan " was estimated by the selectmen of 
Oxford " to be worth one.thousand pound; " and this valuation 
was certitied by them on the plan, 11 January 1716-17. 
Signed Richard Moore, Benoni Twitchel, Isaac Larned. An- 
other certificate was given on the same paper by the selectmen of 
Mendon, concerning the justness of the above valuation, add- 



Bcr noil's Petition to Gov. Shutc. 185 

ing, " that we know nothing but the said Bernon hath been in 
the quiet possession of said land for or nere thirty years." 
Signed Tlioinas Sanford, Robert Evans, Jacob Aldrich. 

November, 1720, Bernon made application for reimburse- 
ment of money expended upon the French settlement. 

' ' The Honorable Petition of GABiiiEXi Bernon op New Oxford, 
IN New England. 
"To his excellency Samuel Shute, and to his Majesty's council, and 
house of representatives in General Court assembled, Gabriel Bernon, one 
of the most ancient families in Rochelle, in France, begs of your excel- 
lency and honor graciously to assist him in his great necessity, and that 
your excellency and honors would be pleased to take into your wise con- 
sideration ; that your petitioner, upon the breach of the edit of Nantes, 

and the persecution of France, fled to London ; upon his arrival 

Tefferau, Esq., treasurer of the Protestant Churches of France presented 
your petitioner to the honorable, the Society for the propogating of the 
Gospel among the Indians in New England ; of which Mr. Thompson, 
the Governor, offered to instal him in the said Society, and offered him 
land in the government of the Massachusetts Bay, whereupon one 
Isaac Bertrand du Tuffeau desired your excellency's and honors peti- 
tion ' to assist him, the said Bertrand du Tuffeau, to come over to New 
England, to settle a plantation for their refuge ; ' which he did, by ad- 
vancing unto the said Tuffeau the sum of two hundred pounds sterling ; 
and since three hundred pounds eight shillings and ten pence ; which 
with the exchange and interest from that time would amount to above 
one thousand pounds. The said Isaac du Tuffeau being arrived at Bos- 
ton, with letters of credit from Major Thompson and your humble peti- 
tioner, delivered them to his late excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq., and 
the honorable William Stoughton, Esq., deceased, who did grant to the 
said Du Tuffeau seven hundred and fifty acres of land for the said peti- 
tioner at New Oxford, when he laid out or sj^ent the above said money. 
Further more, the said Du Tuffeau did allure your excellency's and hon- 
or's petitioner, by exciting of him by letters to come to Boston, as he 
can show. The said Du Tuffeau's ' being (through poverty) forced to aban- 
don the said plantation, sold his cattle and other moveables for his own 
particular use, and went to London, and there died in a hospital.' Your 
excellency's and honor's petitioner being excited by letters of the said 
Tuffeau's shipped himself, his family, and servants, with some other 
24 



1 86 The Records of Oxford. 

To prove his claims on the plantation of New Oxford Bernon 
gives the testimonies of several worthy gentlemen whose names 
he has hitherto subjoined : 

The four elders of William Fox Governor Usher 

the French Church Benj. Faneuil William Stoughton 

Mousset ] Daillie minis- P. Jermon Increase Mather mtre 

Kawling I tre of the Jacques Montier Charles Morton mtre 

Cbarden ( French Paix Cazancau Jer. Dummer 

Babut J Church. Abraham JSauvagee. Nehemiah Walter minr. 

Jacques Dep)au John Butcher 

Jean i>eaudoin Laurence Hammond 

Rene Grignon 

Phellipe Emgerland 

By the Inhabitants of New Oxford 

Montel Ober Jermon 

J. Dupen Jean Maillet 

Capt. Jermon Andre Segourne 

Peter Cante Jean Milleton 

Bercau Ca6ini Peter Canton 

Elie Dupeu &c, 

" The Widow Leveufe Jean Johnson of which her husband and three chil- 
dren was kil and murder by the Ingeu." 



families, as can be made to appear; and paid to Captain Fayle, and 
Captain Ware, passage for above forty persons. Your excellency's and 
honor's petitioner being arrived at Boston, presented letters from Major 
Thompson, afore mentioned to the above said Dudley and Stoughton, 
Esqrs. who were pleased (besides the seven hundred and fifty acres that 
were granted to Bertrand du Tuffoau and your humble petitioner,) to grant 
to your petitioner one thousand seven hundred and fifty acres of land 
more; and for a more authentick security, his late Excellency and Honor 
■was pleased to accompany me to New Oxford, to put me into possession 
of the said two thousand five hundred acres of land, which I have peace- 
fully enjoyed far better than these thirty years last past, having spent 
above two thousand pounds to defend the same from the Indians, who 
at divers times have ruined the said Plantations, and have murdered 
men, women, and children. 

" Your excellency's and honor's petitioner does now most humbly repre- 
sent, that the inhabitants of New Oxford, do now dispute my right and 
title in order to hinder me from the sale of the said plantations, which 
would put me to the utmost extremity, being now near eighty j'ears of 
age, and having several children by my first wife, and so seeing children 



Records of English Settlement. 187 

" Kecords from tlie English Settlement May 13th 1713. 

" Surveyed for Joseph Chamberlin sen'' Round the great 
house 40 acres being a home lott in Oxford; and four acres 
and one Kood in it being allowed for a highway going through 

* * * surveyed by John Chandler Jun. approved and 
established by order of the original proprietors provided he 
pay for the bettering of his lott by former Improvement and 
building. 

" By John Chandler who made such an agreement at the be- 
ginning." — Village Rec. 13. 

Joseph Chamberlin's house lot in the English settlement of 
Oxford, was on the French Plantation of Rev. Daniel Bondet 
and subsequently in the English settlement it came into the 
possession of the descendants of Thomas Mayo. 

Joseph Chamberlin's choice of a house lot is the fii'st on re- 
cord, being by estimation the most valuable.* 

" Oxford the 4 of february 1714 Joseph Charabbarline siuer 

of my children — I have since married an English women, by whom also 

I have several children, all which have dependance (under God) for a 

subsistence on me, after I have spent more than ten thousand pounds 

towards the benefit of the country; in building ships, making nails, and 

promoting the making of stuffs, hats, and rosin etc. 

'' Your petitioner, therefore, doth most humbly beg your excellency and 

honor's compassion and that you would graciously be pleased to grant me 

such titles as may confirm to me and mine the said two thousand five 

hundred acres of land without any misunderstanding, clear and free 

from any molestation either from the inhabitants of the said New Oxford. 

or any pretensions of tlie above said Bertrand du Tuffeau, so that I and 

mine may either dispose of, or peaceably and quietly live upon, the said 

plantation of New Oxford ; and your petitioner shall ever pray for, and 

devote himself to your government, beging leave to assure you, that he 

is, may it please your Excellency's and Honor's your most Dutiful and 

Obedient Servant. ,, ^ .,^ 

" Gabriel Beunon." 

*The Oxford records state that in 1713, when the English settlement 
was commenced, there were French orchards and a house once belonging 
to the Huguenots, which were regarded by the English as improvements 



1 88 The Records of Oxford. 

House loute bein iiponn boundetliel* so caled, bounded on the 
nourest with a stake and a hape of stons ronneing a hundred 
and twenty rodes soourlj on burnnnn linef to a black oke run- 
ning westerly sixty rods to a stack and a hepe of stones then 
ronning nurarly on hundred rods to a stack an Hepe stones 
foust named * ■'• * provided he pays as tow men shal 
judge is beater than other lots in sd village." Ibid.f . 

" The highway which passed through this plantation was 
Woodstock ' great trail ' which passed from Johnson [Jansen] 
plain north easterly over Bondet hill near the ' great house ' 
which stood on its eastern slope." 

A large hollow in the earth now marks the site of the " great 
house" which was once the home of Rev, Daniel Bondet. 

Mr. John Mayo who was a native of Oxford, and lived near 
the place said it was used as a tavern in the second French set- 
tlement or early in the English town history. 

In by-gone time the old Boston road or old Connecticut road 
was the thoroughfare in a quiet way from Boston to the Con- 
necticut towns. 

It entered the town from what was afterward the Sutton 
road, passing near the mills of Ebenezer D. Rich, and from this 
point entering the road which afterward passed the farm house 
of Samuel Davis, and continued on until the foot of the French 



to the plantations, for which those who came into possession of them 
were required to make a suitable compensation to the village corpora- 
tion. 

"Jan. 25th 1714 Voted that Ebbenezar Humphry should have the 
orchard joining to the South west corner of his home lot making allow- 
ance to the Town in money to full of what tow men shall judge it to be 
Ttorth." — Oxford Records, p. 69. 

There are vestiges of this Huguenot orchard still remaining; some very 
ancient trees with hollow trunks are said to have been standing in the 
English settlement. 

* Rev. Daniel Bondet's Hill (plantation.) 

t Gabriel Bernon's boundary line. 



Rev. Dr. Holmes' Visit to Oxford. 189 

fort hill was reached, and then, when near the house of late John 
Majo in the first English settlement, designated as near the site 
of a French house, about one-half mile distant from the French 
church and churchyard, here the road entered a broad Indian 
path known as the "Woodstock trail," passing near the resi- 
dence of the late John Hurd and entering the highway near 
the late Peter Shumway's residence, and continued to Wood- 
stock. The present highway from these points is nearly on the 
paths of the old Connecticut road and Woodstock trail, 

" It was voted * '^ * in Nov. 30, 1714 that the com- 
mitty shall begin to lay out meddow att East End of the great 
raeddow, from thence to the meddow on Elliat's mill brook, 
from thence to the croth of the Reveir so down strame the Ee- 
veir; to the line from thence to bundits meddow." [Bondet's 
meadow.] 

Remains of the French Fort. 

Dr. Holmes writes : " My first visit to Fort Hill in Oxford 
was 20th April, 1819. 

" Mr. Mayo, who owns the farm on which the fort stands, 
believes that his grandfather purchased it of one of the French 
families ; and Mr. Sigourny, of Oxford, writes it was bought 
of his ancestor, Andrew Sigourny.* 

" I measured the fort by paces, and found it 25 paces by 35 
within the fort ; on the outside I discovered signs of a well, 
and, on inquiry, was informed that a well had recently been 
filled up there. 

" On a second visit to the fort, in September of the same 
year, 1819, I was accompanied, and aided in my researches, 

* The ancestor of Mr, Mayo purchased the estate of Gabriel Bernon, 
the president of the French settlement. 

The ancestor of Capt. Sigourny had taken this plantation as his estate 
and resided at the fort while in the settlement, as the keeper of the French 
garrison— Bernon— could not give a deed to Sigourny, as he had not re- 
ceived a conveyance of the land by a deed at that time. 



1 90 TJie Records of Oxford. 

by the Rev. Mr. Drazer, then a professor in our University, who 
went over from Worcester, and met me by agreement in Ox- 
ford. We traced the lines of the bastions of the fort. 

" We next went in search of the Johnson place, memorable for 
the Indian massacre in 1G96. Mr. Peter Shumway, a very 
aged man, of French descent, who lives about thirty rods dis- 
tant from it, showed us the spot. It is at a considerable dis- 
tance from the village, on the north side of the road to Dud- 
ley,* and is now overgrown with trees. We carefully explored 
it, but found no relies. 

" The last year (1825) I called at Mr. Shumway's. He told 
me that he was in his ninety-first year ; that liis great grand- 
father was from France ; and that the plain on which he lives is 
called 'Johnson's Plain.' 

French Chiiech-Yaiid. 

"While Mr. Brazer was prosecuting our inquiries concerning 
a second fort and a church that had been mentioned to me by 
Mrs. Butler, he received a letter (1819) from Mr. Andrew Si- 
gourny, informing that Captain Humphrey, of Oxford, says his 
parents told him there was a fort on the land upon which 
he now lives, and also a French meeting-house, and a burying- 
ground, with a number of graves ; that he had seen the stones 
that were laid on the top of them, as they lay turf, and that one 
of the graves was much larger than any of the others ; that 
they were east and west, but this, north and sonth ; and that 
the Frenchman who lived in this place, named Bourdine, had 
been dead but a few years." f 

" In May, 1825, 1 visited Captain Ebenezer Humphrey, and 

* The north side of the "old road" to Dudley, which passed Mr. 
Shumway's residence. 

t The flat stones were placed on the ground to preserve them from 
the molestations of wild beasts. The small fort and orchard were 
north of the church. 



Capt. Humphrey s Reminiscences. 191 

obtained from him satisfactory information concerning the plan 
of this second fort, and the meeting-house, and the bnrying- 
ground. 

" Captain Humphrey was in his eighty-fourth year. He told 
me that his grandfather was from England, and that his father 
was from Woodstock, and came to Oxford to keep garrison 
(in the second French settlement). He himself now lives where 
his father lived, aljout half a mile south-east from Oxford vil- 
lage. His house is near a mill, standing upon a small stream 
that runs on the left near the great road leading to Norwich. 

" About fifty or sixty rods from his house he showed me tlie 
spot where the fort stood, and near it the lot upon which 
were the meeting-house and burying-ground. No remains of 
either were visible. He pointed to an excavation of the earth, 
where, he said, was a well, which had been tilled up. It was 
at the place of the fort, and had been, probably, within it. 

" In the lot there were apple trees, which, he told me, he heard 
his father say, ' The French set out.'* 

"The field was under fine cultivation, but I could not forbear 
to express my regret that the memorial of the dead had not 
been preserved. 

" He said an older brother of his had ploughed up the field, 
and it was in this state when it came into his possession. He 
told me that one of his oldest sisters said she remerahered the old 
horseblock that stood near the French meeting-house. 

" He said he had seen the blood on the stones of the Johnson 
(Jansen) house ; and that Mis. Johnson on the night of the 
massacre went to Woodstock. 

"Bourdille t(so he pronounced it) lived near the brook which 



* The remains of the apple trees were visible in 1854 on the fort lot. 

His father must have been a competent witness, for he was seventy 
years old when he told him this, and he himself was then twenty years 
of age. 

tThe same as Bourdillon. 



192 The Records of Oxford. 

runs by his house. The land of Captain Humphrey, upon 
which were a French fort, church and burying-ground, lies 
near the foot of Mayo's hill, on the summit of which stood the 
great fort, whose remains are still to be seen." * 

It was stated by the late Capt. Andrew Sigourny that Mrs. 
Andrew Sigourny, Sr.. who came from France, was buried in 
this church-yard, as was Mr. Jansen and his three children. 
Capt. Humphrey stated that he recollected twenty graves in the 
French burying-ground. 

Mr. Ebenezer Humphrey of Oxford, a grandson of late Captain 
Humphrey, and a resident proprietor of the landed estate of 
Captain Humphrey, in 1890 states that his grandfather informed 
his father " that the French church was on the north side of 
the extremely small church-yard," and to enter the church the 
narrow avenue of access passed through the church-yard as in 
European countries. 

The locality of the church-yard is still pointed out by Eb- 
enezer Humphrey. Mrs. Adaline D. E. Moffat, a lineal de- 
scendant of Captain Humphrey (a grand-daughter), is the only 
person now living to whom Captain Humphrey pointed out 
the grave of Jean Jansen as the one placed north and south in 
the Fi-ench burying place. In the English settlement it was 
designated as the " giant's grave," his three children being 
placed at the foot of his grave, and is so designated' at the 
present time. 

A few years since there was an old road that passed nearer 
to the French church-yard than the present road as it now 



*Dr. Holmes writes of this interesting place : " We feel reluctant to 
take leave without some token of remembrance, beside the mere reci- 
tal of facts, some of which are dry in detail, while many others are but 
remotely associated with it. 

" Were any monumental stone to be found here, other memorials were 
less necessary. Were the cypress, or the weeping willow, growing here, 
nothing might seem wanting to perpetuate the memory of the dead." 



French Churchyard. 193 

passes to the fort. This old road entered the hmd of Ebenezer 
Humphrey in the lowlands, not far from a large oak tree, now 
standing (1890). It can be easily pointed out by the proprietor. 
This road was closed several years since as not required for travel. 
The old road is thus described : " A waylaid out from the four 
rod way to bcnieraanne lands home lot, begining att a wihite 
oake tree on the lowlands on ye Southwardly Sideof thefrinch 
burying place, from thence marked on the North sid to ne- 
lands home lot ; said way is tow rods wide february the sixt 
on 1713-4." — Village Record. 

There is no authentic description of the French church 
and church-yard in "new oxford " excepting the one given by 
Captain Humphrey to Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D.,and also the lo- 
cality of the church with its church-yard as pointed out by Cap- 
tain Humphrey to his descendants. "The large stones said 
to have been a part of the foundation of the building as seen 
within the memory of persons now living is erroneous, the 
stones having been excavated by the Humphrey family." The 
church and church-3'ard lot of land can still be traced by the 
division wall or stone foundation of a fence separating it from 
the small fort lot containing an orchard and well as placed by 
Arthur Humphrey for cultivation, which fact Dr. Holmes so 
much regretted in his interview with Captain Humphrey. 

The lauded estate belonging to the late Captain Humphrey 
has remained in the family since the English settlement of the 
town in 1713, his father being the original proprietor and is 
now owned and occupied by Ebenezer Humphrey, the fourth 
in descent from the first of the name.* 

In confirmation of Benjamin Knecland's first lot of land 

* Ebenezer Humphrey, a lineal descendant of Captain Humphrey, and 
the present owner of this estate, which has been in the possession of his 
ancestors since 1713, induced by an antiquarian interest, opened one of 
the graves, as plainly indicated by the dimensions, but found only the 
earth, which gave indications of what had been once a grave. 

25 



1 94 The Records of Oxford. 

taken in Oxford, and the old road leading to his homestead, a 
deed siven bv Marvin Moore to Ebenezer Humphrey, in 
1796, contains the following item : 

" One tract of land in Oxford containing by estimation four 
acres be it more or less laid out southward from the house lot 
Benjamin Nealand (Kneeland) first took up in Oxford at a place 
called the stony runs it being in lew of meadow in said lot 
bounding southwardly on a four rod high-way going estward 
from Ebenezer Humphreys house to Thomas Ilunkins* bounded 
part on said Humphrey land west and Northwardly and est- 
wardly on said Hunkins land however else bounded. "f 

At the French fort in Oxford there was a bridle-path winding 
down through the French orchard to the church and mills, and 
entering on to the Woodstock trail and the"trading-house, or, as 
they were then styled, " the trucking-house," and to the dwell- 
ings of other refugees in the valley wnthin view of the fort. 
There are still to be seen traces of bridle-paths and cart- ways 
which have long since gone into disuse. 

Many old paths abandoned, of which only the faintest tradi- 
tion and slightest trace remain of those silent highways. 

The natives had no roads; they had trails or paths to suit their 
convenience ; they were quite well defined wiien the English 
colony came to this section of country. There were tracks 
throuo-h the forest from one Indian settlement to another, from 
the seacoast to the Connecticut valley. In 1630 the ¥/abquas- 
set Indians had visited Boston, passing over the Woodstock 
trail. 

The roads in those days were only bridle-paths, or, as they 
were called, " bridle-roads, " through the forest, unfenced and 
ungraded, and were indicated by marked or hewn trees and 
stones. The land-holders whose land bounded on these highways 



* The Stony run remains with its boundary wall the same as anciently 
at the present time. 

iKnown as once the Harwood farm. 



FrencJi Families in Oxford. 



195 



or through whose land these rude highways passed, were allowed 
to raaintaia bars or huge gates across them to prevent their 
cattle from straying, as there was a great scarcity of fences. 

There were formerly gates to pass thi-ough leading to the 
residence of the late John Mayo at the French fort. 



The Kames of Huguenot Families who Made a Settlement 
AT New Oxford. 



Benjamin Faneuil. 
Jean Boudoin. 

Montel. 

I. Dupeux. 

Capt. Jermon [Germain]. 

{Charles [Germain], 
Ober Germon [Germain]. 
Pierre Jermon [Germain]. 
Francois Bureau, I'aine. 
Elie Dupeux. 
Jean Martin. 
Andre Sigournais, Sr. 
Andre Sigournais, Jr. 
j Jean Mallet, anc. 
j [amien] [Elder] in the 

French church. 
Peter Canton. 



M. Alard. 

M. Bourdille [Bourdillon]. 

Rene Grignon. 

Jean Jansen. 

Caj)t. de Paix Cazeneau. 

Isaac Bertrand Du Tuffeau. 

Rev. Jaques [James] Lab- 

orie.* 
Rev. Daniel Bondet. 
Jean Machet. 
Elie Boudinot. 
Daniel Johonnot. 
Jean Papineaux. 
Daniel Allen. 
Gabriel Du Pont. 
Jacques Du Pont. 



♦ Jacques Laborie of Cardaillac, Province of Guyenne, completed the 
study of theology iu the Academy of Geneva March 13, 1688 (Livre du 
Rectuer). 

He was ordained in Zurich Oct. 30, 1688, and went to England; he ar- 
rived at the time of King William's coronation ; he obtained a license 
from the Bishop of London, for teaching grammar and catechising in 
the parish of Stepney. He officiated in several of the French churches 
of London for nine or ten years, and then, iu 1698, came to America. 

After a residence for some time in the French settlement in New Oxford 
as a clergyman over the French church, and engaged as a missionary 
among the savages in the vicinity, he went to New York, and was the 
minister of the French Reformed church in that city for two years, Oct. 
15, 1704, to August 25, 1706. After this he engaged in the practice of 



ig6 TJie Records of Oxford. 

Elie Boudinot was a wealthy French merchant of Marans, in 
France, known in liis own country as Seigneur de Cressy. 
His name and title arc found written on the fly leaf of a book 
in the possession of one of his descendants. 

Gabriel Bernon, President of the settlement ; Isaac Bertrand 
Da Tuffeau was the Magistrate of the Frencli settlement of 
New Oxford, being appointed by the General Court on the 
twenty-first day of June, 1G89, to be " Commissioner for the 
Towne of New Oxford to have Authority for Tryall of small 
Causes not exceeding forty shillings, and to act in all other 
matters as any other Assistant may doe, as the Lawes of this 
Colony direct.-' 

Da Tuffeau was from Poitiers, the principal town in the 
province of Poitou. 

When in Oxford he was married to Demoiselle Rochefou- 
cauld, a lady descended from one of the most noble families in 
France. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Fkench Gardens. 

There are French gardens, vineyards and orchards of which 
we have descriptions that carry us far back to those da^^s of the 
Huguenots leav^ing France. 

"The Huguenots were acknowledged to be the best agricul- 
turists, wine growers, merchants and manufacturers in France. 

medicine and surgery, and about the year 1716 settled in Fairfield 
county, Connecticut, as a pliysician, occasionally assisting the Church of 
England missionary ; he married Jeanne de Ressignier, in a second mar- 
riage Abigail Blacklach, August 29, 1716, and died about 1731, leaving 
two sons, James and John, both of whom became physicians. 
Note. — Bernon resided in Boston. 



French Gardens. 197 

No heavier crops were grown in France than on the Huguenot 
farms in Beam, and the south-western provinces. The slopes 
of the Aigoul and the Epernon were covered with their flocks 
and herds. The valley of the Yaunage was celebrated for its 
richness of vegetation, and was called by its inhabitants the 
'Little Canaan.' ^^ * * The diligence, skill and labor 
with which they subdued the stubborn soil and made it yield 
its increase of flowers and fruits, and corn and wine, bore wit- 
ness in all quarters to the toil and energy of. the men of the 
religion." — Smiles'' History of the Huguenots. 

Disosway in his " Huguenots in America," states : " The differ- 
ent parts of the country to which they came were greatly bene- 
fited by the introduction of their superior modes of cultivation 
of the soil, and of different valuable fruits which they brought 
from France. * * * When Charles II, in 1680, sent the 
first band of French Protestants to South Carolina his principal 
object was to introduce into that colony the excellent modes of 
cultivation which they had followed in their own country." 

In 1709 Lawsou in his " Journal " gives us pictures of the 
Huguenots in their scattered settlements in South Carolina, and 
states " their lands presented the aspects of the most cultivated 
portions of France and England." 

Tradition states that the plantations of the French hahitans 
of New Oxford were cultivated with such care and taste that 
the whole settlement presented to view one beautiful garden. 
There is found at the ruins of the French fort in Oxford, 
which was once the plantation of Andre Sigournais, in the 
French settlement of 1687, remains of a vineyard, orchard and 
garden.* 



* The following fact was communicated to the writer of the Memoir 
of the French Protestants, Rev. Dr. Holmes, by the late Capt, Andrew 
Sigourney, of Oxford, Mass., who was born in Boston 1753: 

" A bill of lading, dated London, March 5, 1687, of a variety of Mer- 
chandise, etc., shipped on board the ships John and Elizabeth, mentions 



198 TJie Records of Oxford, 

On a second visit to the fort, in September of the same year 
(1819), we " were regaled with the perfumes of the shrnbbcrj, 
and the grapes tliere hanging in chisters on the vines, planted 
bj the Huguenots above a century before." 

"Grape vines, in 1819, were growing hixuriantly along the 
line of the fort ; and these, together with currant bushes, 
roses, and other shrubbery nearly formed a hedge around it. 
There were some remains of an apple orchard. The currant 
and asparagus were still growing there. These, with the 
peach, were of spontaneous growth from the French plantation ; 
the last of the peach trees was destroyed by the memoi-able 
gale of 1815," as stated by Mr. Mayo, the landed proprietor. 

Mrs. Lee, the author of the " Huguenots in France and Amer- 
ica " writes of the French garden of Andrew Sigourney : 

" The narrative of Mr. John Mayo (given to her in 1828, 
when he was eighty-one years of age) is perhaps the most 
graphic. He says the fort of the French was near my house ; 
it inclosed about a quarter of an acre and was about square. 
There was a very considerable house, with a cellar, well, etc., 
within the fort. There was a garden outside the fort, on the 
west, containing asparagus, grapes, plums, cherries, and a bed 
of gooseberries. There were probably more than ten acres 
cultivated around the fort ; some of the apple trees and pear 
trees are still standing, also the currant bushes and cinnamon 
rose bushes, asparagus, etc." 

among the rest, 'two chests of vine plants, marked X 5 X,' and were 
to be delivered to Mr. Daniel Stading, or Petre il Sailes " (of Boston for 
the French settlement of New Oxford). 

The bill of ship lading was on a half sheet of paper, large size, of a 
thick course quality of paper and much discolored by time. It was 
folded in a small square form. 

Some years since, on the decease of Capt. Andrew Sigourney, of Oxford, 
his executor, Capt. William Sigourney, found the ship lading bill of these 
same vines and fruit trees. The bill was afterward destroyed, with 
other French papers, by fire. 



Letter of L. H. Sigonrncy. 199 

A portion of the garden was devoted to herbs, roots, medici- 
nal sweet mint, and remnants still remained of blood root, Sol- 
man's seal and some others, 

Yerj little remains at the present time of this once lovely 
French flower garden, vineyard and orchard (having passed into 
the hands of the restoi*er) — a remnant of the cherry trees which 
had replanted themselves, the frnit retaining its rich flavor, but 
in size resembling the wild cherry. These cherry trees formed 
a lovely trellis fur the grape vines, bnt unfortunately they were 
destroyed ; with these vines clusters of asparagus, stray hop 
vines and rose trees, had formed a French garden and vineyard 
for two centuries. 

Mr. Mayo stated to Dr. Holmes : " Every thing here is left 
as I found it." 

The descendants of Mr. Mayo shared in his refinement of 
taste. 

" The flower thereof falleth and the grace of the fashion 
of it perisheth." 

A Letter from the Late Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. 

Hartford, Sept. 30th, 1856. 
My Dear Miss De Witt : 

On returning from a little visit to my daughter I found 
your box of delightful Huguenot grapes awaiting me. Their 
fragrance betrayed them ere the casket was fully opened. 
This sentiment of remembrance on your part was indeed 
very kind, and I earnestly thank you. Does it require much 
stretch of the imagination to depict that saintly group who 
for "righteousness sake," left the vine-clad hills of la belle 
France, and sought among these shaded valleys, " afaitii's pure 
shrine ? " 

Your own ruined fort is peculiarly rich and graphic in its de- 
lineations, especially so to us, who regard the ancestral name of 
Sigourney with respect and affection. 



20O Tlic Records of Oxford. 

1 hope this Ilnguenot vine may long flourish ; I have pressed 
some of its dusters into a little wine, thinking tliat the most 
enduring form in which they could he treasured. Should it 
succeed well, I shall hope yon will taste it with me, when it 
attains its maturity, the next year. 

I trust your loved mother and sister are well. I often think 
of you as a peculiarly happy family not to have been severed 
and tossed about, as so often hapipens "amid the chances and 
changes of this mortal life." Please remember me affectionately 
to them, and believe me, 

Very sincerely your friend, 

L. H. SlGOUKNET. 

An Ex pract from a Letter of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes 

TO Mrs. Freeland, Dated Beverly Farm, June, 18S1. 

" I remember my father's visit to Oxford, and the enthusiasm 
with which he explored the traces of the French Pilgrims. I 
have not forgotten, either, my own visit many years ago to the 
fort and the scenes of the massacre by the Indians, and how I 
looked for the rose bushes and the grape vines which my father 
had seen, and of which Mrs. Sigourney had sung. There is no 
town in New England which can show more interesting localities 
than Oxford. The French exiles rested there, as a flight of 
tropical birds might alight on one of our New England pines, 
and one can hardly visit the places that knew them without 
looking for some relics of their sojourn as he would hunt for an 
empty nest or a painted feather after the bird has flown." 

Rev. Dr. Abel Holmes states: 

" In the year 1822 a letter was also received from a lady, 
well known in our literary community, enclosing a poetical 
tribute to the memory of the Huguenots of Oxford, which is 
not less worthy of her pen, than of her connexion.* Her mar- 
riage with a worthy descendant of one of the first French fami- 



* L. Huntly Sigourney. 



French Gardens. 201 

lies that settled in Oxford fairly entitled her to the subject 
which her pen will perpetuate, should the Memoir be forgot- 
ten. A leaf of the grape vine was enclosed in the letter which 
has this conclusion : ' We received great pleasure from our 
visit to Oxford, and as we traced the ruins of the first rude 
fortress erected by our ancestors, the present seemed almost to 
yield in reality to tiie past. I send you a leaf from the vine, 
which still flourishes in luxuriance, which, I am sorrj' to say, 
resembles our own natives of the woods a little too strongly. 
Something beside, I also send you, which savours as little of the 
Muse's inspiration, as the vine in question does of foreign ex- 
traction ; but if poetical license can find aftinities for the latter, 
I trust your goodness will extend its mantle over the infirmity 
of the former. ' " 

An Extract from the Poem of L. H. Sigouknet, Received 
BY E.EV. Dr. Holmes. 

"The savage arrow scath'd them, and dark clouds 
Involved their infant Zion, yet they bore 
Toil and affliction with unwavering eye 
Fix'd on the heavens, and firm in hope sublime 
Sank to their last repose. Full many a son 
Among the noblest of our land, looks back 
Through Time's long vista, and exulting claims. 
These as his Sires."— L, H. S. 

Mrs. Lee writes : " The Huguenots, after their return to 
Boston (from Oxford), gratified their taste in the cultivation of 
rare and beautiful fruits and flowers. Vestiges long remained 
of their cultivated and refined tastes." And adds, " A friend 
of mine, now no more, the honored and regretted Daniel Sar- 
gent, Esq., told me, he perfectly recollected 'fine gardens 
pointed out to him when a boy, as having belonged to the 
Huguenots.' " — Mrs. Lee, ii, 68. 

There were the rich and luxurious French gardens of Daniel 
Johonnot of Boston, and of his son Zachariah Johonnot, rival- 
26 



202 TJie Records of Oxford. 

\vl^^ gardens of India in splendor, whicli weie cultivated through 
their wealth to remind them in s-weet memories of the lo\elj 
home^ of theii' ancestors in sunny trance. 

The beautiful garden of Daniel Johonnot was by his "will" 
bequeathed to his son Andrew as a choice inheritance, and 
again by him bequeathed to his son Andrew. 

These aai'dens were ornamented with flowers and shrubs of 
exquisite varieties and choice fruit trees, and were for many 
years remembered by the inhabitants of Boston. 

And the gardens of Zachariah Johonnet were afterward in- 
herited by his son Peter. These gardens are said to have been 
filled with rare fruit trees, beautiful flowers and shrubs from the 
"dear fatherland." Tradition states that every tree, shrub and 
flo\ver cauie from France, and that these gardens extended in 
length entire streets. 

There was also the spacious garden appurtenant to the rich 
mansion of Andrew Fanenil* in Boston ; he had acquired a taste 
for flowers which he gratified in one immense French garden, 
containing seven acres of laud, interspersed with choice fruit 
trees. The garden was of such loveliness that it w'as styled an 
"Eden of beauty." Choice tropical fruits were cultivated in 
hot-houses, the first of their kind in New England. 

"The deep court-yard," says Miss Quincy, in her memoir of 
her mother, " ornamented by flowers and shrubs, was divided 
into an upper and lower platform by a high glacis, surrounded 
by a richly wrought railing, decorated wMth gilt balls." f 

The terraces, which rose from the paved court behind the 
house, were supported by massive walls of hewn granite, and 
were ascended by flights of steps of the same material. 



*The residence of Andrew Fancuil was on Treamount St. (Treraont 
St.), opposite the King's chapel and its church-yard. On the death of 
Andrew Fancuil, it became tlie home of his nephew, Peter Faneuil 
where he lived and died. 

t Memoir of the Life of Eliza S. M. Quincy, p. 88. 



FrencJi Gardens. 203 

One of the ornaments of this tasteful garden was a summer- 
house which resembled an eastern pagoda, and from the little 
spire which surmounted it, there glittered and whirled about 
in olden times a gilded grasshopper, for a vane in imitation of 
the one upon the Royal Exchange in London. This summer- 
house from its elevated situation commanded a lovely view, 
and for many successive decades of years the J oh on net and 
Faneuil gardens were remembered for their choice fruits and 
flowers as things of seslhetic beauty. 

At the commencement of the sixteenth century, there lived 
in a small castle near Gap, in Dauphiny, the noble family of 
Farel. — History of France^ M. Guizot, 

Among the French gardens, vineyards and orchards there is 
a description of an orchard at the ancient home of William 
Farel in France, which d'Aubignu has so quaintly and beauti- 
fully described : 

"In these Alpine solitudes, three leagues from the town of Gap, 
in the direction of Grenoble, not far from the flowery turf that 
clothes the tableland of Bayard's mountain, on the extended 
plain, stood a house of the class to which in France the appellation 
of 'gentilhommiere'* is attached (a country gentleman's habi- 
tation). It was surrounded by an orchard which formed an 
avenue to the village — there lived a family bearing the name 
of Farel, a family of long-established reputation, and as it would 
appear, of noble descent. In the year 1489, at a time when 
Dauphiny was suffering from oppression, a son was born in this 
modest mansion, who received the name of William Farel." f 



* Some of the Huguenots were termed " geutilliomme " (gentlemen). 
In old France " gentilhomme " meant much more than "noble;" a 
man's ancestors must have been noble for at least three generations, else 
he dared not assume that envied designation of which the King himself 
was proud, considering it amongst his highest honors to be called "pre- 
mier gentilhomme de France (the first gentleman of France). 

t John Calvin, in writing of William Farel, dwells upon tlie disinter- 
estedness of his character, and speaks of him as a man of such noble birth. 



204 The Rccoj-ds of Oxford. 

" Grenoble to Gap, distant a quarter of an hour's journey 
from the last post-house, and a stone's throw to the right from 
the high road, is tlie site of the house which belonged to the 
father of the Farel still pointed out. Though it is now occu- 
pied by a cottage only, its dimensions are sufficient to prove 
that the original structure must have been a dwelling of a su- 
perior order. The present inhabitant of the cottage bears the 
name of Farel." 



A description of the modern French garden of the late 
Charles Sigoui'ney, Esij-t of Hartford, Ct., who was a lineal 
descendant of Andrew Sigourney, who came from France, 
and was in the French settlement of Oxford, and afterioard 
'became a resident of Boston. 

Mrs. Sigourney describes her beautiful home with its lovely 
rose gardens : 

"The mansion was environed by an extensive lawn, whose 
curving gravel walks were adorned with shrubbery, and spacious 
gardens, one of which stretched downward to the fair river that 
girdled the domain, from which it was protected by a mural 
parapet. One of the most unique features of scenery was a 
grove sloping rather precipitously to the borders of the same 
graceful stream, traversed by winding paths, and shaded by 
lofty trees. On its margin, and partially sustained by the trunk 
of a strong oak that bent over the water, a rustic recess with two 
or three seats, called the Hermitage, had been constructed. It 
was approached by a kind of Avilderness path through the lawn 
grounds (where every thing grew as it pleased, yet pleased to 
grow gracefully). * * * An adjoining eminence was 
crowned by a summer-house, on whose vane, which was in the 
form of an arm and hand with a pointing finger, was the classic 
inscription, ' Ut ventus vita,' — our life is as the wind, our do- 
main was beloved by the flowers. 



French Gardens. 205 

" Roses of everj line and variety cast their perfume upon the 
air ; the clematis threw over the piazzas its rich masses of ce- 
rulean blue ; brilliant woodbines and trumpet honeysuckles 
spanned the arching gate- ways, or clung to the trellises of the 
summer-house ; the alternate white and purple lilacs bowed their 
heads over the avenue alloted to them, as if in close consulta- 
tion ; the neighboring lilacs bent back their listening petals ; 
on the border of the gravel walks the gorgeous coxcomb 
flaunted, the peony and lupine advanced their pretensions ; the 
pansy lifted its deep eye of intelligence, and the arbor-judea 
waved its pendulous banner when the slightest zephyr claimed 
homage. 

" (Birds, fearing no shaft of the fowler, peopled the boughs, 
and made a paradise of song.) (A. line of foot-bridges with 
their passing groups, rendered picturesque its adjacent lowlands, 
where were groups of little ones, who amassed daisies and king- 
cups, or gadded after the bright-winged butterfly.) Garden 
seats were placed in different positions, so as admirably to re- 
veal the charms of nature and art which were here combined, 
the velvet lawn, the stream that at one point exhibited a slight 
cascade, and at another seemed to have a lake-like termination. 
The trees which were scattered here and there seemed instinct 
with the spirit of grace ; and methought I had never beheld 
such enchanting moonlights as fell through their chequering 
branches." 

Fain would I bear away, 
And keep the changeless picture in my heart 
Of those fair woods and waters, — summer dress'd 
And angel-voiced, until I lay me down 
On the low pillow of my last repose.— X. H. Sigourney. 

On leaving the village street in Oxford in a southerly direc- 
tion to visit the site of the ancient French gardens and ruins 
of the fortification, you will take the first road on your left 
hand ; it is now known by a guide-board as "Huguenot avenue." 



2o6 TJie Records of Oxford. 

" A high way laid out Feb. 6th 1714* by the Select men 
beginning att the Eiglit rod way on the southwardly sid of an 
orciiard neer the old millf running over the old mill brook to a 
rock on the East of said Brooke, from thence marked on 
the northwardly side with mark trees tel it coms to barnon's:}: 
land neer the North East corner of Joseph Chamberlin seneor's 
home lot (In the French settlement the home lot of Rev. Daniel 
Bondet) said way being four rods wide." 

Soon a view is presented of the site of the French fort, situ- 



* Village Rec, p. 132. 

t French Mill of Gabriel Bernon. 

J Gabriel Bernon's laud. 

There was once a large orchard planted by the Huguenots on the 
nortli-west corner of the way four rods wide as it entered the Eight rod 
way, and within the present century the remains of anotlier orchard of 
apple trees was to be seen, and it is said vestiges of these old trees are 
now to be found on the late Capt. Humphrey estate. The rock over the 
brook remains the same partly concealed under the bridge, and a modern 
mill is now seen on the site of one of the old French mills of Gabriel 
Bernon. The ancient site of the Humplirey house is passed on your left 
hand, shaded by its ancient elms and a memorable oak. The descendants 
of Capt. Humphrey continue still in the possession of this ancient estate. 
There wastlieold path or road leading to the French church-yard enter- 
ing at the oak tree in the lowlands, and now, if tlie traveler should inquire 
his way, he is told by some obliging countryman " to rise a holler, keep 
straight along until you reach the top of a hill,'' and he pursues the wind- 
ing highway. 

He soon passes on the left hand an eminence, the site of the ancient 
French church and church-yard. The valley below the church, shaded 
by dark plumy pines, and the site of the lower fort (as it was called), built 
to protect the French refugees during church service and the burial of 
their dead, and then is passed on the left the opening of tiie old Boston 
road, as it was called two hundred years ago the "Kenecticut road,'' and 
then on the Woodstock trail i)e passes on his right hand the site of the 
Rev. Daniel Bondet's plantation and its high round top hill, known at the 
present day as " Bondet's hill," and soon on his left hand he pursues 
his way on a slope of the French orchard of some five acres of land, once 
belonging to Andrew Sigourney as a part of his plantation. 



Frc7ich Fort. 207 

ated pleasantly in a close of ten acres of cultivated land crown- 
ing the height of the plantation. There was once a vineyard 
on the south side of the fortification, the grape-vines of which 
caressed tlie rmie palisade, and supplied wine to the refugees 
(it is said the French have wonderful proclivities for the grape 
vine). The hop vine and the ro^e tree had their share of cul- 
ture in the garden on the west side of the fort, and thus the 
fort appeared to rise from this garden of roses and vines. 

Within the site of the French fortifications there is still to 
be discovered the outline of the small cellar of the garrison- 
house. On the south side of the palisade was the vineyard ; 
outside of the fort, un the north side of the garrison-house, 
there was a stone chimney, and its uncouth wide fire-place, a 
part of which is still standing, and the ancient well is still pre- 
served. There are now to be seen the ancient stone steps 
ascending a terrace from the garden, leading to the house on 
its north-westerly limits, just as they were in position when 
the settlement w^is abandoned, not having the misfortune to 
have passed into the hands of the restorer. At the base of the 
terrace, west of the fort, was the garden, and the orchard lying 
westerly of the garden. 

"The main block house was thirty feet long and eighteen 
feet wide, with a doubled wall cellar twenty-four feet long by 
twelve feet wide and about six feet deep. The inner wall 
supported the floor beams ; the outer wall, three feet from 
this, was made of heavy boulders on a foundation about three 
feet deep, and supported the logs forming the walls of the 
house." 

A covered stone drain seventy feet in length, constructed 
when the fort was built, is still to be seen in good preservation. 

" At the south-west corner of the cellar a flight of stone 
steps have been unearthed, which led to the cellar of this block- 
house. On clearing out the debris and rubbish at this point, 
three or four of the original benches, or offsets, cut in the hard 



2o8 The Records of Oxford. 

earth, for laying the steps when the cellar was bnilt, were found 
as distinct as if just made." 

The fireplace was in the middle of the north side of the house. 
It was nearly ten feet wide at the opening of the jambs, and 
admitting logs eight feet long at the back. 

The broad foundations (one hundred square feet) supporting 
it and its chimney, almost wholly outside of the house, gave 
ample room for those huge logs and for an outside oven. 

There was but this one fireplace to this old garrison-house. 
There was no annex attached to this block-house of any de- 
scription. Mr. John Mayo remembered the garrison-house, 
as his ancestors had purchased this estate of M. Gabriel Bcrnon. 

Mr, John Mayo, in his description of the French garrisou- 
honse (as he well remembered it in good preservation when 
his father resided on the French plantation), informed Mrs. J. 
P. Davis, his granddaughter, that the port-holes were only on the 
south side of the house, as there was lying southerly of the 
garrison-house at some little distance a line of forest running 
easterly and westerly, forming as it were a boundary', and from 
this point the Frencli must have feared an invasion of the 
Indians. 

The Oxford Foet. 
Notes on its construction, etc. 

The French plantations of Rev. Daniel Boudet and Andre 
Sigournay were not included in the large tract of land pur- 
chased by Gabriel Bernon of Dudley and others. The French 
made a first settlement in (New) Oxford in 1687. A garrison- 
house was erected on the plantation of Sigournay, and lie was 
the Commandant of the fort. He planted a vineyard, orchard, 
and cultivated a garden of much beauty, composed of shrubs 
and rose trees which he obtained from France. Tliis garrison- 
liouse remained until after the English settlement in 1713. 
The site of its ancient cellar is still to be seen, with its immense 
stone chimney foundations and fireplace, with the remains of that 



French Fort. 209 

once lovely vineyard, orchard and garden, and these were the 
only relics to be seen on the site of the French fort in 1884. 
This fortified garrison-house was surrounded only by a palisade of 
logs and earthworks. It is conjectured by some that " the fort 
was built of stone, the walls some four feet high, banked with 
earth and topped with logs, and having a ditch surrounding it, 
with perhaps a stockade beyond," and that certain outlines of 
the fort are indicated " by the solid stone foundations, three 
feet in thickness and just covered by the sod enclosing the 
whole area." There is no record or reliable tradition to sup- 
port these theories. 

The only explanation that can be given of this view of these 
fortifications is the following : The large area of land now sur- 
rounding the site of the French fort was in ancient times com- 
posed of several small lots of land. One of these parcels, lying 
south of the ruins of the fort, was separated by a wall of stone 
running east and west near the vineyard, which was outside of 
the fort. This was rebuilt several times by the Mayo family 
during the 130 years of their residence on the farm, and 
every time removed three or more feet south of the old wall; 
and besides, this wall intersected another wall at right angles, 
running south and north, which extended from the highway 
boundary wall. What is now thought to be the site of an old 
ditch surrounding tlie fort is only the appearance of the ground 
from whence was removed one of these former walls. The 
last of these old walls was removed some 50 years since. 

All the debris of these old walls was deposited in the French 
vineyard, under the vines and among the shrubs and rose trees 
of the French garden. This accounts for the supposed fortifi- 
cation wall of " some three feet in thickness and just covered by 
the sod." When this supposed discovery was made there was 
no vestige of a wall standing. The wall now placed is a 
modern wall just erected in imitation of what was in imagina- 
tion supposed to be the original wall of defense. 
27 



2 1 o The Records of Oxford. 

It also appears that there were no stone walls three feet in 
thickness around the "French garrison-house" as a defense 
against the natives, the first French settlement having been 
abandoned in August, 1696, and a second French settlement 
made in Oxford in about 1699, and continued until 1704, only 
17 years after the first fort was erected. 

Gabriel Bernon, the President of the " French habitants," peti- 
tioned Governor Dudley for protection against the natives. Gov- 
ernor Dudlejjin reply to his petition,dated July 7,1702,wi'ites : — 

" Herewith you have a commission for Captain of New 
Oxford. I desire you forthwith to repair thither and show 
your said commission, and take care that the people be armed, 
and take them in your own house with a palisade, for the secur- 
ity of the inhabitants ; and if they are at such a distance in 
your village that there should be need of another place to draw 
tliem together in case of danger, consider of another proper 
house, and write me, and you shall have order therein. 

" I am your humble servant, 

"J. Dudley." 

In Lincoln' s " History of Worcester " is found the description 
of a garrison-house of this period, 1675-1713, in Worcester : — 

" On this road (Marlborough to Brookfield) south of the 
fording place, was erected at a very early period, one of those 
edifices called block or garrison-houses, and denominated on the 
records ' the old Indian fort.' 

" The structure for defense against the tribes prowling in 
the forests, so far as specimens have survived the waste of time, 
or description been preserved b}'' tradition, had great uniform- 
ity in construction. They were built of timbers, hewn on 
the sides in contact with each other, firmly interlocked at 
the ends, and fastened together with strong pins. They 
were generally square and two stories in height. The 
basement was furnished with a single thick door of plank. 
The walls were perforated with narrow loop-holes for the use of 



FrencJi Fort. 21 1 

musketry against an approaching foe. A ladder, easily drawn 
up if the lower floor was forced, ascended to the next room, 
which projected two or three feet over on each side, having 
slits for infantry, and wider port-holes for cannon. The gentle 
slope of the roof afforded an elevated position to overlook the 
surrounding country, and was sometimes crowned with a little 
turret for an observatory. These watch-towers, impervious to 
ball or arrow, were of abmidant strength to resist an enemy un- 
provided with artillery, and might defy any attack except that 
by fire on the combustible materials. To these wooden castles, 
in the infancy of the country, the inhabitants repaired on the 
alarm of danger, and found ample protection within the rude 
fortresses, seldom reduced by the savage, of too tierce tem- 
perament to await the lingering progress of a siege. Lincoln 
mentions " another of these fortresses of logs " for the protec- 
tion of Quinsigomond (Worcester), and then " The third of 
these wooden castles was on the new Connecticut road north 
of Lincoln Square, affording shelter to the traveller and de- 
fending the mills on the stream." 

In the " Memorial History of Boston ■ ' is a description of tlie 
fortification of Charlestown, " which was begun as early as 
1630, when a fort was built on the top of Town Hill, with pali- 
sadoes and flankers made out, which was performed at the 
direction of Mr. Graves by all hands, men, women and chil- 
dren, who wrought at digging and building till the house was 
done. The fort was maintained at great expense, and was fos- 
tered by the colony because of its importance." The works 
were abandoned just previous to 1700. 

The fortifications are described in New York city as existing 
in 1700 or about that time. " The city lies crowded below Wall 
Street with only a path stretched out along Chatham Street and 
the east side. A line of crumbling palisades and earthworks 
extending originally from river to river, still fenced Wall Street 
from the open beyond." 



212 The Records of Oxford. 

Dr. Holmes visited Oxford in 1 817 and had an interview 
witli Mrs. Mary Sigoiiruey Butler, who lived in Boston until 
the American Revolution and soon after removed to Oxford. 
Dr. Holmes states " of the memorials of the primitive plan- 
tation of her ancestors she had been very observant, and still 
cherished a reverence for them." Mr. John Mayo, who re- 
sided at this time on the plantation of her ancestor, Andrew 
Sigourney, Captain Humphrey, Mr. Peter Shumway, who 
was of French extraction, Mrs. Kingsbury* and her son. Col. 
Jeremiah Kingsbury, had rendered Mrs, Butler every assist- 
ance in her researches. They were all persons of great in- 
telligence and respectability, and were living on the landed es- 
tates of their ancestors adjacent to the French fort, and all 
lived to be more than 90 years of age, with the exception of 
Col. Kingsbury, who was more than 80 years of age. These 
persons had never seen any stone fortifications around the 
French fort, in the English settlement of 1713. 

In 1720 Thomas Mayo of Roxbury purchased the plantation 
on which was the French fort. This estate continued in the 
Mayo family for some 130 years. If there had been stone forti- 
fications or walls four feet in height and three feet in thickness 
around the fort, would there not have been some remains ? In 
1819 Mr. Mayo informed Dr. Holmes : " Every thing here is 
left as I found it." 

Notes. 

A new modern cellar wall has been laid in imitation of the 
ancient cellar wall,t which quite destroys its interest as a relic 



* The widow of Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury. 

tMrs. J. P. Davis of Worcester, a lineal descendant of Mr. John Mayo, 
recollects the old walls which stood on the southerly side of the ruins of 
the French fort. In 1884 the remains of the two walls wei-e to be seen, 
which formed a salient angle. These walls had been built in the English 
settlement in making divisions of land. 



French Fort. 213 

of the past. Its ancient outline was all that was desirable to 
preserve, witli its foundation of an ancient stone chimnej and 
fire-place. 

The safety of the garrison-house would not have permitted 
an ell attached to the house. The house may have extended 
beyond the cellar wall. 

There was hut one chimney attached to this garrison-house, 
and that was built outside of the house on its north side. 
There was but one chimney to houses of that period, and 
to some modern houses of only 100 years ago one chimney of 
huge dimensions was deemed sufficient. There were no ovens ; 
all was done in kettles or in the ashes, excepting a stone 
oven, in the chimney outside of the house. 

Some few relics have been found, of which there is no proof of 
their ever belonging to the French, as the cellar was used by the 
Mayo family for the place of all refuse for more than 100 years. 

There could not have been any old pottery belonging to the 
French. They confined themselves to utensils made of pewter 
and wooden ware, excepting some few who had brought from 
France small articles of silver plate. Andre Sigournay is said 
to have brought from France a small silver pitcher concealed 
with other valuables on his person, which was of great service 
to his family in their flight. The pitcher is now in the posses- 
sion of Charles Sigourney Burnham of New York, a grandson 
of the late Charles Sigourney of Hartford, Conn. 

Then still descending into the valley a tiny river is seen dis- 
appearing altogether from view, then reappearing, yet flowing 
ceaselessly, with trees skirting its bank, in all their varied shades 
of color. The river, fringed with tall grass and meadow flowers 
of blue gentian and the clematis with its fluffy blossoms, with 
graceful bends loses itself in the rich river meadow lands, and 
flows into the French river. This river had strength sufficient to 
turn the wheels of the French mills, and could be heard as it 
tumbled into the mill-race. 



214 The Records of Oxford. 

On its banks were the mills and rustic French dwellings, 
with casement windows aglow with brilliant blossoms, encircled 
with orchards, vineyards and parterres of flowers dotting the 
whole vallej, which must altogether have presented a most ro- 
mantic landscape of loveliness, stretching far into the valley, 
through which passed the rude bridle-paths and foot-trail which 
led the refugees to the mills, church, church-yard, and other 
French plantations in the valley. 

The remains of the ancient bridle-path can be traced on the 
Harwood farm, so called, to the fort, and extending to the site 
of the French church and church-yard. ^ 

On the right hand of the Sutton road, one mile distant from 
the village street, is the site of one of the French mills of 
Gabriel Bernon. 

" In the midst of a small meadow which is skirted by wooded 
nplands, and in midsummer is so overhung and shut in by trees 
and wild undergrowth as to be hidden from the casual observer. 
Here the substantial dam, some sixty feet in length, both wall 
and embankment, stands almost entire — a deep trench to con- 
vey the water from the pond to the mill-wheel, a distance of 
seventy -five feet, is distinctly to be seen — the position of the 
mill can be fixed — and the waste-way, running from the wheel 
about one hundred feet to the stream below, seems to have 
been but recently made, so little has it been obstructed. 

" In this retired spot, the kindly hand of natui'e has protected 
and preserved the handiwork of the Huguenots, as it has been 
kept in no other locality in Oxford. The place is full of iur 
terest to the antiquary, and is well worth a visit, not only for 
its associations, but for its quiet, picturesque beauty." 

The views from the French fort present quiet pastoral scenes 
of exquisite loveliness, environed in the distance by enchanting 
forest hills; and from the hill sides there is a long extent of 
beautiful vista, and beyond are distant hills, with Wachusett 
mountain seen fading away in a fainter blue. 



The A nnals of Oxford. 215 

The river winding its silvery way, and its flowery meadows 
remain the same in view as in tlie days gone by, and tlie ripple 
and rnsh of the water-way is now the only sound in this en- 
chanting valley, for the " old French mills " have long since 
fallen to decay. 

There is seen the same hazy distance of mountain landscape 
gilded with the same bright sunshine as when the refugees 
gazed upon this new wilderness home. " But as generations 
of men conje and go these old ruins look down on many changes." 

To-day there is seen in the distance the village street with its 
churches, rising among them the tower of the Episcopal church, 
very different in its architecture from the rude French chapel 
of two hundred years ago, whei*e preached the Rev. Daniel 
Bondet, ordained at Fullam palace by Bishop Compton of Lon- 
don. 



CHAPTER XYII. 

The Annals of Oxford. 

In 1713 at the close of Queen Anne's war was the settlement 
of English families commenced in Oxford, the required number 
of thirty families being obtained. The settlement was made in 
the good old colony time, when we lived under the queen 
" when queues were long and patches large." 

Richard Moore, Esq., Lieut. John Town and Col. Ebenezer 
Learned were gentlemen, then good servants to the queen, and 
were enhancing her most gracious Majesty's interests by endeav- 
oring to increase her government by the settlement of Oxford. 

"Oxford was made a town May 16, 1683. Li the year 
1693 a particular act passed empowering Oxford to send a 
representative to the ' General Court ' as appears by the records 
in the Secretary's office of this Commonwealth."* 

* Whitney's History of "Worcester County, Mass, 



2 16 TJie Records of Oxford. 

In 1694 an assessment of taxes was made and sent with an 
order for its collection, to the constable of the French planta- 
tion, Andrew Sigournev. The grant for Oxford was made 
1681-2. 

Mr. John Gore of Roxburj made the survey, and a return of 
the same being presented to the " General Court," it was ac- 
cepted, and on May 16, 1683, they granted the plantation and it 
received the name of Oxford, after a city of that name in Eng- 
land, and was at that time a town in Suffolk county.* 

The grant for Oxford had a great prospect of success with 
such efficient guardians to watch over its interests as Dudley 
and others of high position in the colony. 

Dudley thought the locality of the Oxford grant " capable of 
a good settlement, with its western part, including many hills, 
and its eastern section was set apart for a village, being more 
attractive because of its plains and meadows.f These plains ex- 



* " Towns were made when there were few, or no inhabitants in them, 
and when a sufficient number of people had settled in them, a special 
resolve of court passed to empower them to meet and choose their town 
officers." 

"But in a later date they have been incorporated, named and em- 
powered to hold town meetings by the same act." 

July 31, 1716, Town meeting. 

Richard Moore chosen moderator, voted in y' affirmative yt Lt. John 
Towne and Insn Ebenezer Learned should go to ye Court to search ye 
Records to see what may be found concerning Oxford being granted for 
a Township, also to petition the General Court if we may be made a 
town if it be needful. — Oxford Records. 

May 28, 1718. 

At Great and Gen. Court of Assembly for ye province of ye Massachu- 
setts Bay in New England held at Boston on ye 28 day of May 1718. 

On the petition of John Towne Selectman of the town of Oxford 
June 18, 1718, Read and ordered that a tax may be levied upon the 
lands of non-residents to enable them to build a meeting-house and 
settle a minister. 

t Now the town Charlton. 



The A mials of Oxford. 217 

tend three miles north and south, the soil of which is a warm 
sandy loam, and the Nipmuck coiintiy was famed for its Indian 
corn." 

Major Gookin said of Manchang (Oxford), " It is situated in 
a fertile country for good land." 

The natural meadows bordering the rivers which ran on 
either side the plains, were considered the most valuable of all 
the lands, on account of the quantity of hay they yielded.* 

Another attraction presented to the minds of Dudley and 
Stoughton, favorable for a settlement of the Oxford grant, was 
that this location was easy of access. 

The old Bay road from Boston to Springfield crossed this 
part of the Nipmuck county, afterward known as the ISTew Ox- 
ford settlement, in its northern part, and the old Comiecticut 
road passed through its southern section. 

"I gave New Roxbury the name of AVoodstock, because of 
its nearness to Oxford, for the sake of Queen Elizabeth and 
the notable meetings that have been held at that place bearing 
the name in England." — Diary of Judge Sewall of Boston. 

In the time of the Oxford settlement all varieties of animals 
common to the New England forests were to be found in the 
woodlands of Oxford. Deer, wolves, wild cats and bears were 
game for the hunters, and fish abounded in the small lakes 
and rivers, affording means of subsistence. Deer were numerous 
and were quite an article of traffic. 

* " The artificial pond in the eastern part of Oxford, called ' Robinson's 
pond,' covers what was one of the finest meadows in the vicinity, which 
has been known from the first history of the town as " Mendon meadow," 
as Mendon people came here yearly to cut the hay before the settlement 
of the town . 

"As late as at the commencement of the present century, it was a custom 
every spring, at a certain time, to open the waste-gates at the mill near 
the south end of the plain, and draw the water from the meadows 
above, that the crops of hay might grow and be harvested." 
28 



2 1 8 The Records of Oxford. 

One of the town ofKcers chosen anniTally was a " deer reeve " 
to protect the deer ; these officers were chosen until near the 
close of the last century.* 

Bears were not uncommon in the settlement of Oxford. 
The last bear in the town was killed by Samuel Davis and 
John Dana. Mr. Davis resided on the farm now owned by James 

Lovett, and the adjoining farm was the residence of Mr. 

Dana. Both of these farms are near to a swamp, long known 
as " Bug swamp." Each of these projDrietors had a corn field 
near the swamp, and adjoining to each other. 

Before harvesting, the owners were decided that they were 
suiiering in their corn, by the depredations of some bear con- 
cealed in the swamp, which was a most unfrequented place, 
and its solitude and silence had favored the bear to select the 
trunk of some hollow forest tree, as they both climb and de- 
scend trees with great agility, for his den, or in some natural 
cavern among rocks. 

Mr. Davis, and his neighbor Mr. Dana, decided to appoint a 
morning, at the early hour of 2 o'clock, to meet and watch for 
the bear. Mr. Dana was first, upon the time appointed, and 
soon sighted the bear, and fired his single-barreled heavy shot- 
gun, which wounded the bear. Dana at once sought his safety 
by refuge in the swamp. The bear came toward him, and 



* In 1793 Capt. Amasa Kingsbury and Josliua Merrian were the last 
deer reeves chosen by the town. 

Among the early punishments found on the court record of Worcester 
county, 1748, one having in his possession the flesh of a deer, killed 
contrary to law, was fined fifty shillings, one -half to the King, and half 
to tlie informers, which was paid with costs. 

Tradition states at Ballard's grain mill (now Howarth's) that wolves 
were common. On a winter morning seven wolves were counted on the 
ice of Angretteback pond. 

At the farm of Mr. John Larned, west of the river, in the south-west 
part of the town, the family would be awakened many a time by the 
cry of the wolves from the highlands near their home. 



The A nnals of Oxford. 219 

when almost within hugging distance, rose on his haunches to 
throw himself upon Dana, who, perceiving his situation, had 
gathered in his hands and arms mud and decayed roots, which 
he threw into the face of the bear, who stopped very leisurely 
to wipe with his paws the mud from his eyes. Mr, Davis had 
heard the report of Dana's gun, and arrived at this critical 
moment, armed with his shot-gun, and fired upon the bear, 
which now fell dead in a heap before them. 

In the History of the Huguenots in France and America, 
Mrs. Lee, quoting from the manuscript of Mr, John Mayo, of 
Oxford, narrates : 

" I heard Joseph Rockwood, who served in the fort, tell of 
having got lost in the woods when out for the cows. He heard 
at a distance the cries of wild beasts, and ascended a tree for 
safety. He was surrounded during the night by half-famished 
howling wolves.* 

A Record o:e: Tkottblesome Birds. 

In a warrant for a town meeting, dated Feb. 19, 1791 : 

" 6th. To see if the town will bid a bounty on the heads of 
crows that shall be killed within said town by the inhabitants 
for the year ensuing or act thereon as the town shall think 
proper. By order of the Selectmen. — Samuel Harris^ Town 
Cleric,. 

" March 7, 1791, at a town meeting; voted, a bounty on the 
heads of crows, viz., for each old crow one shilling a head, and 
for each young crow four pence per head, that shall be killed 
within this town by the inhabitants thereof within one year." 

The keeping of sheep in those days was quite an item of 
profit to the land-holders. All sheep were marked by their 
owners and entered on record in the town. Among many 



* Joseph Rockwood was in the English settlement of Oxford, and his 
plantation was near the French fort, and subsequently was included in 
the farm lands of John Mayo. 



220 The Records of Oxford. 

others : " Eev. Elias Dudley marks his sheep with a Swallow 
Tail on the right ear." — May 11, 1793. 

" Mr. James Butler's marking stamp for his Beasts is a 
capital ' B ' thus ' B ' " (painted black or red) — January 6, 
1795. 

In some instances in marking animals humanitj'^ was forgotten. 
" Lt. John Ballard Marks his cattle and Sheep with a crop off 
the left Ear and the right Ear split of each creature " — De- 
cemr. 1st 1792. 

Mrs. Kingsbury (the widow of (]apt. Jeremiah Kingsbury) 
narrated, when in her youth and residing with her father Jona- 
than Ballard, whose plantation and corn mill included a part 
of the landed estate of John Nichols, in later time known as 
Howarth : 

The Ballard family, were greatly annoyed by the Indians. 
When gathering peas and other vegetables from their garden 
they were obliged to protect themselves with fire-arms. If in 
any manner they returned to the house leaving the basket, on 
returning to the garden the basket and peas were gone. 

Governor Hutchinson in his history of Massachusetts writes 
an item in the history of Oxford: " August 6, 1724, four In- 
dians came upon a small house in Oxford, which was built 
under a hill. They made a breach in the roof, and as one of them 
was attempting to enter, he received a shot from a courageous 
woman, the only person in the house, who had two muskets 
and two pistols charged, and was prepared for all four, but they 
thought tit to retreat, carrying off the dead or wounded man." 

Tradition states the woman placed a feather-bed in the chim- 
ney and with a fire and the smoke prevented them from enter- 
ing the house. The name of this heroine is not preserved, 
neither the site of her humble dwelling. 

Cattle were often taken from the English settlement by the 
Indians. When looking for cows at pasture fire-arms were re- 
quired. 



The Amials of Oxford. 221 

Peter Papillon of Boston died in 1733. (John Wolcott of 
Salem his son-in-law Administrator of his estate, Boston Feb. 
ye 11th, 1734). 

The stock of creatures, etc., on the Farm at Oxford amounted 
to £85. 11. 0. as by Inventory lodg'd in ye Registrs. Office and 
which are still on sd Farm to be deducted out of ye first In- 
ventory of £1033. 9. 6i 

One Mare now at Oxford £12. 0. 0. 

One can imagine the English planters as they arrive from 
various settlements in Oxford village, with their wagons con- 
taining household goods and pack-horses overburdened, with 
their cattle and other domestic animals soon following. 
The pioneers in a new settlement at that period encountered 
many hardships, to build their lug cabins, make roads and lay 
rustic bridges over the small rivers, as well as the labor of sub- 
duing the soil. 

The first houses were rude structures, with roofs covered 
with thatch. In a few years houses of a better order began to 
appear; they were built with two stories in front and sloped 
down to one in the rear " leanto style " the windows were 
small and opened outward on hinges; they consisted of very 
small diamond panes of glass. The frames of the houses were 
of heavy oak timber showing the beams inside. These rustic 
homes all had immense fire-places, where the blazing fire of 
huge back logs gave cheerfulness to the whole apartment dur- 
ing the long winter evenings, children and servants sitting in 
the chimney corners, with a high-backed settle on one side for 
older people. 

But for the great blazing fire that was constantly burning in 
the wide chimney, the family room of the farm-house would 
have been gloomy. Then there was the floor so neatly sanded, 
the spinning-wheels and reels were a part of the furniture, 
and to the children of the family an amusement, as the 
spinning on a large wheel made a cheery whirring sound as 



222 The Records of Oxford. 

though making woolen garments were the most deliglitful 
thing possible. 

The young people studied their arithmetic and grammar 
by the dim light of a candle, and for amusements they played 
"Blind-man's buff" and "Come Philander, let us be a march- 
ing, " with many other games but long since forgotten. Then 
there were the harvest parties and the quilting parties enlivened 
with a cup of tea that gave social pleasures.* But all these 
fashions have seen their day " as the family hearth and the 
great iron crane hangs rusty on its hinges and groans rheu- 
matically when wakened from its long slumbers." The cry of 
the chimney-sweep is no longer heard in the village street. f 

The ancient mile stone at " Sigouruey's corner " states the 
distance of Oxford from Boston to be fifty-three and one-half 
miles. The \'illage street is a mile and a half in length and 
more than one hundred feet broad, and almost its whole length 
is presented at one view. 

* January 1, 1770. " They are not much esteemed now who will not 
treat high and gossip about. Tea has now become the darling of our 
women. Almost every little tradesman's wife must sit sij^piugtea for an 
hour or more in a morning, and it may be again in the afternoon, if they 
can get it, and nothing will please them to sip it out of but china ware, 
if they can get it. They talk of bestowing thirty or forty shillings upon 
a tea equipage, as they call it. There is the silver spoon, silver tongs 
and many other trinkets I cannot name." — Coffin's " History of Newbury. ''"' 

Tea kettles in ancient times held about a pint. 

fWhittier writes : " A remarkable custom brought from the old 
country, formerly prevailed in the rural districts of New England. On the 
death of a member of the family, the bees were at once informed of the 
event and their hives dressed in mourning. This ceremonial was supposed 
to be necessary to prevent the swarms from leaving their hives and seek- 
ing a new home." 

This antique fashion is continued in some of the country villages within 
ten miles of Worcester at the present time. It is still regarded as a matter 
of policy to prevent the bees from deserting their hives. 

The old way of telling the bees was for the master or mistress to ap- 



The Annals of Oxford. 223 

The street was silent from noise of carriages in those days ; 
only a few pedestrians were seen on the highway, with now 
and then a person passing on horseback, with occasionally a 
lady seated upon a pillion on the same horse. 

The broad highway was lined with flocks of gabbling geese, 
which marched up and down the street in search of mud pools, 
to the terror of all small children, and this fashion continued 
long into the present century. 



proach the hives and rap gently upon them. When the bees' attention was 
thus secured, say in a low voice that such a person, mentioning the name, 
was dead. 

Another way of telling the bees was for the mistress or some one in 
her place to drape tlie hives in black, at the same time softly humming 
some mournful tune to herself. 

Telling the Bees — Whittier. 

"Just the same as a month before, — 
The house and the trees, 
The barn's brown gable, the vine by the door, — 
Nothing changed but the hives of bees. 

Before them, under the garden wall. 

Forward and back, 
Went drearily singing the chore-girl small^ 

Draping each hive with a shred of black. 

Trembling, I listened ; the summer sun 

Had the chill of snow : 
For I knew she was telling the bees of one 

Gone on the journey we all must go ! 

Then I said to myself, ' My Mary weeps 

For the dead to-day : 
Happly her blind old grandsire sleeps 

The fret and the pain of his age away.' 

But her dog whined low ; on the doorway sill, 

With his cane to his chin, 
The old man sat ; and the chore-girl still 

Sung to the bees stealing out and in. 



224 TJic Records of Oxford, 

Josiah Wolcott, Esq., at this time was the owner of a pleasure 
carriage (a square top chaise) and also of a one-horse chair, both 
vehicles dating back before 1776. Onlj a few of the country 
gentry kept a chair or chaise, which was only *' tackled" on 
Sundays, or occasionally for a journey.* 

The present time affords in the town facilities for traveling 
by railroad, a contrast to the former time. 

In 1715, two years subsequently to the English settle- 
ment, BernoD gave the stones and irons of the grist-mill to 
Daniel Elhot on condition a mill should be built in a specified 
time.f 

And the song she was singing ever since 
In my ear sounds on; — 
* Stay at home, pretty bees, fly not hence ! 
Mistress Mary is dead and gone !'' 

* A copy from a note-book of Josiah Wolcott: 
1776 May 23 Mr. Joshua Turner 

To chaise to Scituate 72 miles at 16 y" mile 5 — 8 
To chais to Worcester 11 miles 16 y« mile 2 



Settled £.8.4.6. 

t \_Qoii. Dudley to G. Bernon.] 

RoxBURY, A2)r. Qth, 1715. 
" Sir : 

" We are now in a way to thrive at Oxford, and I particularly thank 
you for what you have done toward a grist-mill in the village, by giving 
the mill stones to Daniel Elliot, conditionally that the mill should be 
built to serve the town within a prefixed time, which is now past and 
nothing done . I desire you to write to him to go forward immediately, 
so as to finish the mill presently to the satisfaction of the Inhabitants, or 
tliat you will order tlie said mill and Irons to be given to sucli other per- 
son as will go forward in the work, that they may not be starved the 
next winter. 

"I pray you take effectual order in the matter. 

" I am your humble servant, 

" J. Dudley. 
" To Mr. Gabriel Bernon, Narraganset." 



The Annals of Oxford. 225 

In his reply, Bernon says he has " ordered Daniel Elliot to 
finish the crist-mill at Oxford or to let the town have the two 
mills-town, to set the mill in a convenient place," — " it will be 
a great blessing to strive [thrive] after so much distorbance." * 

Col. Ebenezer Learned of North Oxford built a dam and 
saw-mill on his estate previous to 1728. This mill was run until 
1859 when factories were erected in its place. 

The old grass-grown Charlton road, the northerly boundary 
to the church-yard near the south common, was once the traveled 
way to Ballard's grain mill ; at a later date a lovely highway 
was made to the mill from the south Charlton road, terminating 
in a broad wooded avenue, which passes the site (intersecting 
with the old road) of this ancient mill, and is unequaled by any 
in the town for good taste and rural beaut}'-, and yet all is arranged 
for utility ; even the stone watering trough is a thing of beauty 
and humanity. The winding avenue is bordered by the forest 
trees in all their natural gracefulness, fringing the lake even 
to the water's edge.f 

The late Sterens De Witt and subsequently the late George 
Hodges, Esq., were both much interested in preserving all its 
natural scenery. 

* January 25, 1714, " Voted at a lofel town meten that Danel Elact 
should build a greust mel for the town use." — Oxford Records. 

"May 20, 1715, at a town meeting It was also voted to choose two per- 
sons to go to Daniel Elliot and discours with him consarning building 
ye corn mill to see whether he will go on with ye corn mill and accom- 
plish it in a reasonable time. Richard Moore and Benony Twichel were 
chosen for sd work." 

Eliot built the mill on Eliot Mill brook near the crossing of the 
stream and Worcester road, near the Hawes place adjoining the north 
cemetery. 

t March 11, 1754. Voted " to accept of a highway 2 rods wide begin- 

ing at the eight rod highway (now Main Street) Running west by the 

South side of Dr. Holden's House running up on the said Holden's line 

to the North West corner of the burying place from thence straight to 

29 



226 The Records of Oxford. 

Mr. Thomas Davis, in 1747, built a grist-mill- on the river 
passing through his estate, where is situated the mill known 
formerly as belonging to Ebenezer D. Rich. The old French 
mill was located near this site on the same landed estate once 
belonging to Gabriel Bernon, the President of the French 
plantation. Mr. Thomas Davis had received this large and valu- 
able estate from his father, Mr. Samuel Davis, of Roxbury, 
Mass., subsequently a resident of Oxford . 

Improvements in the present time include the item of sav- 
ing labor. In the olden time to many of the houses in the first 
settlement of Oxford, would be attached a small shop, with a 
chimney in one corner, where the father and sons would be en- 
gaged in the winter season only in manufacturing shoes, with 
occasionally apprentices. This would form the entire establish- 
ment. 

The last shop that recalls those primitive days was located 
on the late Josiah Russell place. 

A great contrast is now noticeable in modern improvements 
to these isolated little shops of domestic industry. 

Large manufacturing establishments have su^Derseded them, 
controlled by wealthy owners, who not only supply all that is 
required for home consumption but make large exporta- 
tions to foreign markets, thus affording employment to many 
most estimable inhabitants of New England towns and vil- 
lages. 

But finally the carding-machines, the fulling-mills, the 
clothier's shop and the spinning and weaving at the farm-house 
were banished from sight, being superseded by manufactur- 
ing by machinery. The two manufacturing villages west of 
the village street and North Oxford, with its long stretch of 

the foot of the hill by Mr. Manning's fence from thence as will be most 
convenient near or in the road now trod to the bridge by Mr. Ballard's 
above his mill dam." This road and the Qiiaboag laue were the only 
roads to the south part of Charlton and Sturbridge for many years. 



TJie A nnals of Oxford. 227 

villages on the Freneli river, with the town of Webster, are now 
to be seen in the places of these few solitary mills. 

In Oxford, Charlton and adjacent places in the southern 
part of Worcester county, before baoking had become common, 
Ebenezer Davis, Esq., of Charlton, and his brother. General Jona- 
than Davis, of Oxford, became the private bankers of the people 
who had occasion to secure loans of money. Ebenezer Davis, 
it is said, did not invest in large amounts; he loaned in small sums 
to hundreds of individuals in Charlton and vicinity. Through 
the influence of General Jonathan Davis, of Oxford, the Oxford 
Bank was incorporated in 1823, and for the first ten years he was 
its president. It was changed to a National bank in 1865. He 
was succeeded by Richard Ohiey, Esq., a gentleman of wealth 
and great influence, from Providence, R. I., John Wetherell, 
Esq., Hon. Alexander De Witt, and in more modern times, 
by Charles A. Angell, Esq., and other distinguished gentle- 
men.* 

Fronting on the south-east corner of the south common there 
was a little gray school-house, itself " toeing the highway, " with 
its two chimneys, with its capacious hearths for log fires of a win- 
ter's day. The benches were of the rudest style, instruments of 
torture, being very narrow and straight backs. For many years 
this little country school house, with small high windows of 
diamond glass, graced the corner of the village common, weather 
stained with time, its decayed sills and warped clap-boards 
" crumbled from its moss-flecked sides." 

This first school-house in the town occupied the site of the 
present residence of Mr. Charles Lamb, and for many years re- 

* The late Mr. James Freeland, of Sutton, once engaged in commerce 
with Canada en route for Montreal through the eastern section of New 
York State, ascertained that the entire site of tlie present city of Utica 
could be purchased on very favorable terms. He communicated with 
Ebenezer Davis, Esq., but failed to interest him in a partnership where 
so large a fortune could have been attained. 



228 The Records of Oxford, 

mained fronting iipoD the common. Tradition states some of 
its timber is still preserved in the house of Mr. Lamb.* 

"Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way, 
With blossom'd furze, unprofitably gay. 
There in liis noisy mansion, skilled to rule, 
The village master taught his little school. 
A man severe he was and stern to view ; 
I knew him well, and every truant knew ; 
Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace 
The day's disasters in his morning face ; 
Full well they laughed with counterfeit glee 
At all his jokes, for many a joke bad he; 
Full well the busy whisper, circling I'ound, 
Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned. 

Yet he was kind, or if severe in aught. 
The love he bore to learning was his fault. 
The village all declared how much he knew, 
'Twas certain he could write and cipher too : 
Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage, 
And e'en the story run — that he could gauge ; 
In arguing, too, the parson owned his skill, 
For e'en though vanquished, he could argue still, 
While words of learned length and thund'ring sound, 
Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around ; 
And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, 
That one small head could carry all he knew. 
But past is all his fame. The very spot 
Where many a time he triumphed, is forgot." 

Mr. Kichard Rogers was the first teacher of a school in 
Oxford, date 1740. He was the most accomplished teacher of 
his time, not only in English and Latin, but noted for his un- 
rivaled penmanship. In those days a master had no need of a 
pen wiper, for they wiped their pens on the hair under their wigs. 

*The benches and the black walnut ferule used in the first schools in 
Oxford were brought to Sutton by the widow of Mr. Rogers on her third 
marriage to Isaac Dodge. The relics were to be seen a few years since. 



The Annals of Oxford. 229 

Town meeting July 29, 1714, voted to build a meeting-house 
thirty feet square, and to set the house on the west side of the 
highway near Twitchell's field. 

This first church was located near the north-west corner of the 
south common, separated from the church-yard by the Charlton 
road, as afterward called, the church fronting on the common. 

The churches in New England at this time exhibited a pe- 
culiar combination of severe plainness. The eastern boundary 
of the church was the Worcester road, at present opening from 
the common; as it appears by records of the town the location 
of the road was anciently. 

" Tradition states in 1748 when a new church was erected 
Col. Ebenezer Learned gave the land and ' commons ' around it 
(now known as the old north common), one and one-half miles 
south from his residence," and one mile north of tlie south 
common. 

The old square church on the north common was built in 
the center of the twelve thousand acres of land comprising the 
township of Oxford at that period in the history of the town. 

" A.nd the cliurch was at the court end of the town," and 
had the appearance of once being colored a dingy yellow brown, 
with three doors in the porch entering on the east and west 
sides, and south front, with corner pews in the gallery for slaves 
and negro servants. 

March 5, 1749, voted to sell the old meeting-house at a ven- 
due to the highest bidder, and Moses Gleason bid S.'o^. 0. 0, and 
it was sold to him accordingly. 

Note. — Sumuer Baston (Barston), Esq., a native of Uxbridge, Mass., 
was the first cashier of the Oxford Bank, a gentleman of great natural 
endowments and of much refinement, with most affable manners. He 
had received his education at Brown's University. He became a lawyer 
of distinction and was highly respected in the county as a gentleman of 
integrity and candor. He liad received the appointment of Brigade 
Inspector with the rank of Major. He had also been a candidate for 
Representative to Congress. 



230 The Records of Oxford. 

Oct. 14, 1751, voted that the selectmen shall inquire after 
the glass of the old house and give account thereof to the town. 
In 1752 it was again sold with the church land to Dr. Jabez 
Holden.* 

There was a tything-man, whose duty it was to maintain or- 
der during the church service, to drive dogs from the church 
and to watch over the boys and young people. At anj mis- 
demeanor the tything-man would give a sharp rap with his 
long black staff and levelled like a musket at any offender. 

This church had a porch bulging out, with its old-fashioned 
square wall pews and squeaking seats turned upon hinges. 
The great feature of this church, especially in the eyes of chil- 
dren, was the huge sounding board above the pulpit, and then 
their fears should it fall upon the minister's head. The body 
of the house was filled with long seats or pews opening from 
the center aisle of the church, with a little shelf-like table on 
hinges at the head of the pew. The pulpit was high and 
narrow. When the clergyman entered the church the people 
remained standing while he ascended the pulpit staircase. 

In the old churches there were no fire-places, and it was be- 
fore the days of stoves, furnaces or steam were used for heat- 
ing them. 

The women carried tiny foot stoves, filled with coals from 
their own fire-side ; then between the church services tliey 
would have leave to replenish them from the friendly hearths 
of their friends near the church or at the village hotel. 

The male members would frequent the hotel or old store 
opposite the common and obtain their "flip" or "gin slings" 
and then return to the church service. 

On Sunday morning, a rude picture is presented, as these 
habitans of the new settlement are seen passing over the com- 
mon to church, some on horseback sini>:ly, others double with 

* Some of the timber of this church is still retained as a relic in the 
Town Hall of Oxford. 



The Annals of Oxford. 231 

saddle and pillion, the wife on the pilhon behind her husband, 
with majbe a little child in her arms, with a small boy on be- 
hind, holding on by the crupper. 

They aU dismounted on the horse-block in front of the 
church. 

Qnaint old figures toiling up to the church could be dis- 
cerned as far as the eye could reach, by the old cocked hat, or 
many-caped great-coat. The ladies had lovely bouquets of pinks, 
with some sweet green mint or roses attached to their persons, 
of a Sunday morning in the summer. During the winter these 
ladies, many of them, were conspicuous from their fine scarlet 
broadcloth cloaks and rich sable muffs. The bearskin muff 
was more common. 

For on a Sunday the people put on their best rilothes. As 
wealth increased broadcloth and silk began to take the place of 
home spun. 

The old " meeting-house " and all its surroundings were 
finally sold at auction, the horse-blocks removed, and all lost to 
view excepting the lovely common ; even the ancient elms with 
age have disappeared. A new church was erected in 1829, 
fronting on the South Common. 

From the settlement of the town by the English in 1713 
there was only one church till 1793. The LJniversalist church 
was completed as a place for ])nblic service. The society had been 
formed in 1785. In 1836 the Baptist church was erected at 
North Oxford. 

In 1840 the Methodist Episcopal church was erected. In 1843 
it was enlarged by a donation from the late Jonathan Sibley, 
Esq. A new church has subsequently been erected. 

St. Eoche Catholic Church is located on Main street opposite 
the South Common ; it commands a fine view. The present 
site was purchased in 1867 of John O'Shea. Since then the 
grounds have been improved and extended by additional valu- 
able land purchased of Mr. Peter Butler, of Quincy, by Mr. 



232 The Records of Oxford. 

Shea, and transferred by him to Et. Rev. P. T. O'Reilly, 
Bishop of Springfield. 

In 1852 Rev. Napoleon Mignault was placed in charge of 
this mission by Rt. Rev. John B. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of Bos- 
ton. Previous to this service was held in private houses ; sub- 
sequently the present church was erected. 

In 1858 Rev. James Quann was appointed rector by Bishop 
Fitzpatric. The reverend gentleman is a native of British 
America, is of kindly manners and esteemed by all classes in 
society. He remained in charge until 1886, when Oxford was 
erected into a parish by Bishop O'Reilly of Springfield, and 
a resident clergyman appointed. 

More recently a beautiful rectory with ornamented grounds 
has been purchased of John E. Kimball, Esq., of Oxford, and 
and is now comprised in the church estate. 

Grace Church (Protestant Episcopal) is beautifully located 
on east side of Main street on the northern portion of the 
Samuel Hagburn estate, one of the plantations in the first set- 
tlement of Oxford. The church rectory is imbedded in its 
cultivated grounds. The corner-stone was laid with ceremonies 
September 20, 1864. It was first occupied October 8, 1865. 
On November 16, following, it was consecrated by Rt. Rev. 
Manton Eastburn, D. D. 

" The whole edifice, externally and internally, is harmonious 
and elegant. It is an architectural ornament such as few 
country villages possess." The building is of dark stone. 

At the time of the settlement of Rev. Mr. Campbell in Ox- 
ford, 1721, all was not luxury and ease. Indians were lurking 
about. The peace of Utrecht was broken in 1722. As late 
as August 21, 1723, in the neighboring towns, clergymen 
carried arms to defend themselves during the church service. 
It is to be regretted that Mr. Campbell did not leave any diary 
with allusion to the passing events of this time, and about 
his journey to Boston in 1722, when he went to be married to 



The Annals of Oxford. 233 

Miss Wheatlj. They came to Oxford with two saddle horses. 
We can trace the Rev. Mr. and Madame Campbell on their bridal 
route, entertained by the clergymen on whom they called, 
by the journey of Dr. Parkman, of Westborough, in 1723, the 
clergyman of that place. He writes that he rode to West- 
borough from Boston on horseback, leaving Watertown, his first 
watering-place, at half-past twelve, and reaching Westborough 
at dark. 

Eeturing to Boston, after he had secured his invitation, he 
stopped at Hopkinton, where he visited the clergyman and 
fared sumptuously on roast goose, roast pea-hen, baked stuffed 
venison, beef, pork, etc. 

" After dinner," he adds, " we smoked a pipe and read Gov. 
Shute's memorial to the king." 

Town meeting October 7, 1718, there is found a record 
stating, that a messenger was chosen to fetch us ye minister 
Rev. John McKinstry (to accompany him on horseback to Ox- 
ford, as was the fashion of the time), Mr. McKinstry, being in 
Worcester, and a graduate from Edinburgh university. One 
can easily picture the person of Rev. Mr. McKinstiy as he 
entered Oxford village; his countenance is surmounted by the 
large round white wig, with its depth of curls, the three- 
cornered, smartly-cocked hat with its broad brim with loops at 
the side. 

The nice white necktie or white hneu scarf, the end falling 
loosely on his breast (changed for church service for bands and 
surplice), his black velvet or satin breeches with the silver knee 
and shoe buckles, his black silk stockings, the long coat with 
large buttons and the long waist coat with its deep pockets and 
fair ruffles falling over his hands. 

This style of dress marked the clergyman of olden time. 

As in ancient fashion a committee was chosen by the town 
to confer with a clergyman as to what manner he would choose 
to come into town, and to wait on him accordingly. 
30 



234 '^^^'^ Records of Oxford. 

There is no mention made of any escort being provided to 
accompany the clergyman into town until after the settlement 
of Rev. Ebenezer Kewhall in 1823, on his marriage to Miss 
Sarah Clarke, a niece of Prof. Stuart of Andover. On the day 
of their arrival a party of ladies and gentlemen from Oxford 
proceeded with their fine carriages (yellow-bodied chaises) and 
fleet horses to the town of Grafton, twelve miles distant, to there 
wait at the hotel the arrival of the clergyman and his bride ; 
then, as their escort, to accompany them to their pleasant home 
previously made ready for their reception. 

As the hue of carriages entered the village they met many 
people much to the surprise of the bride dressed" in their Sun- 
day best," as on a gala-day, and the people seemed to be all hurry- 
ing in one direction. At the head of the village street the 
white gateway at the parsonage was opened for the reception of 
the party and groups of people were ready to welcome them to 
their new home. They were ushered into the house, every 
apartment furnished, for the furniture had arrived from Boston 
the week previously, and the ladies of the parish had given 
every direction for its arrangement. 

The party were soon invited to the tea-room for a five 
o'clock tea with every delicacy suitable for the occasion. 

Mrs. Newhall writes, " They were our first people " and 
" this was our first home, for Mr. Newhall had been in- 
vited to a parish in the most beautiful country town in all New 
England."* 

In 1832 the south part of Oxford, taken to form the town 
of Webster, which contained much of the most valuable water 
power within its limits, reduced Oxford in her territory and 
commerce. 



* Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart Phelps (a cousin of Mrs. Newhall), in her 
"Sunny Side," published many years since, gives a part of this descrip- 
tion as an illustration of the sunny side in a clergyman's life. 



Notable Old Houses. 235 

The new town has increased to great poi3ulation, and in its 
large manufacturing establishments has become a second Man- 
chester, while Oxford is left in a state of quietude and of great 
beauty and as a country town, ever having been a place of 
cultivated society. In historic incidents Oxford is not to be sur- 
passed by any town in New England. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

Notable Old Houses. 

In the English settlement of Oxford there were several 
garrison-houses in the town for the protection of the inhabitants 
from an attack from the Indians. The house of Col. Ebenezer 
Learned in the north section was garrisoned (the house is still 
standing). There was a garrison at the house afterward known 
as the Josiah Eussell place and the house of Ebenezer 
Humphrey.* 

The house of Col. Ebenezer Learned of North Oxford is one 
of the most ancient mansions now remaining in Oxford. " Ox- 
ford May ye tenth, 1714, laid out to Ebenezer Learned his house 
lot at or near a place called ye uper fall's." The house is still in 
good preservation (1890). "A part of tlie old house is of a more 
modern construction, having been enlarged many years ago to 
accommodate his son, Capt. Jeremiah Learned, on his marriage. 
The interior of the house is modelled in the English heavy 
massive style of the last century." Col. Learned died in 1772 
At his decease in his " will " he places Madame Learned under 
the care of his son, Capt. Jeremiah Learned, his son affordino- 
her "every thing ne cessary and convenient for her according 

*Garrison-houses were nothing more than common dwelling-houses 
surrounded by palisades, and furnished with a supply of fire-arms and 
ammunition. 



^^236 The Records of Oxford. 

/ 
/* to her rank and circumstances, '■•■ and mj black man Mingof to 

^"^ fj^' ^ wait upon her during their natural lives." 

o^ y'*^ O*^** An ancient house is still to be seen near the Eliott Mill 
■^ /"*■ - — brook, once the home of Julia Daily. 

J A*' In the town records is the following : 

^^y " May 20, 1765. The town's house that Mrs. Bixbee lives 

"^ in it was voted to sell at a vendue and said house was accord- 

ingly sett up at a vendue and Capt . James Griffin bid fifty- 
three pounds old tenor which was the Highest and it was struck 
off to him accordingly." This house was one of the old gar- 
rison-houses in the first settlement of the English in the town, 
and is known in the present century as the residence of the 
late Josiah Russell. In ancient time the house was said to be 
haunted by a treasure being supposed to be buried in the cellar 
which had been obtained by robbery. It was said everj'- night 
at midnight a man could be heard digging in the cellar, as Capt. 
Reading, a retired sea captain had once been a resident on the 
estate. From an old tomb-stone is the following inscription, 
" Lieut. James Griffin of Gen. Shirley's regiment died Nov. 
17, 1769." 

This house was once the home of Rev. William Phipps, a 



* Ebeuezer Learned's lot is allowed by me as to the quntity of 40 acres 
and the place of being taken up and I Establish him an Inhabitant in 
Oxford Village. 

Witness my hand May ye tenth, 1714. 

JOHN CHANDLER. 

John Towne, 

Abiel Lamb, 
Benoney Twiciiell, 

Committee. 

t Mingo was an African slave — his shoes of the largest size. His 
spoon and his block, on which he used to sit in the corner of the deep 
fireplace in the old west room of the house, were preserved until a few 
years since in the family. His place in the chimney-corner was to at- 
tend Madame Learned's wood fire. — Eeminiscences of Martha E. Stone. 



Notable Old Houses. 237 

retired clergyman of Douglas, who liad married Mrs. Abigail 
"Walker, the widow of Mr. Asa Walker of Sutton, a lady pos- 
sessed of a good dower in a rich landed estate. 

Mrs. Abigail Phipps, widow of Wm. Phipps, Esq., died July 
31, 1820, aged 92 years. 

It was once the home of Peter Shumway, 2d, October, 1791, 
who came to Oxford on Joshua Chandler's rio;hts. 

In the settlement of Oxford the Indians were observed to 
be lurking about Mr. Hudson's plantation. The family w^ere 
fearful of an attack, and for safety went to the garrison -house, 
which was on the site of the late Josiah Russell estate, and re- 
mained for two weeks. 

On the Hudson place there was a native apple tree of sweet 
apples, of which fruit the Indians were very fond. This tree was 
the favorite resort of one Indian in particular, who often regaled 
himself with the fruit. 

A part of the decayed trunk of the . tree is still to be seen 
(1880) embedded in a wall, as stated by the late Mr. Joseph 
Hudson. 

There is no ancient house of more interest than the Hudson 
house. 

The home of the late Captain Humphrey, which tradition 
states once belonged to Gabriel Bernou. The house by some is 
called "Bowerwood, " so beautifully is it environed by majes- 
tic elms and one ancient oak tree that dates back to the French 
and English settlements and still spreads its branches to shade 
the traveler. 

Capt. Humphrey stated to Dr. Abiel Holmes on one of his 
visits to Oxford that his father kept the garrison-house in the 
French re-settlement of Oxford. There were soldiers from 
Woodstock stationed in Oxford. 

It is a tradition that he also kept a garrison-liouse in the Eng- 
lish settlement. The descendants of Captain Humphrey have 
been in possession of this estate since the first English settlement, 



238 The Records of Oxford. 

and many of the French annals of the town have been preserved 
bv tliis family that otherwise would have been lost in history. 

Capt. Humphrey was in the Revolutionary War and also his 
brother Arthur Humphrey. 

No gentleman was more respected in his time than Capt, 
Humphrey, both in chm-ch and town history. He lived to a 
very advanced age and his descendants honor his memory. 

The house of the late Jasper Brown is an ancient house, and- 
was in its time built in a very superior style. It was in olden 
time the home of Duncan Campbell, Esq., for many years, 
from 1748-1778, and afterward of James Butler. The house 
is wainscotted very beautifully ; a Iniffet ornaments the parlor. 
The house stands with extensive lands on the west side of the 
old North Common. " It is covered with the same shaved clap- 
boards, held by the same hand-wrought nails that were attached 
to it at the time of its erection.'"^ The ancient money coffer, 
inlaid in the wall on the west side of the south-east room, is 
still to be found. The Charlton road, which now passes the 
house on its north side, formerly was located on the south side 
of the house. 

On the south side of the north common at the opening of the 
Sutton road, there is one of the most ancient houses in the town. 
It was laiown for a long time as the home of the late Dr. David 
Holman, for many years a physician of Oxford. This ancient 
house is surrounded with much interest. It still retains remnants 
of its former style; a parlor buffet is preserved, and its ancient 
rich staircase remains as a relic of the past. The house is 



* This old mansiou, and every house of any pretension, had its 
" cock loft in the steep gable roof " for its house slaves or negro ser- 
vants. And then the huge old chimney passing through this spacious 
attic was found convenient for all the requisites of turning the spit for 
roasting the meats in the kitchen. The services of the " Jack " were of 
great utility before mechanical improvements rendered them unnecessary 
by better methods of turning the spit. 



Notable Old Houses. 239 

pleasantly located, being retired some little distance from the 
Worcester road by an avenue, the lovely old common on one 
side and a once small orchard in front giving a very picturesque 
aspect to this antique house. 

The ancient residence of Mr. Ira Merrimon, at the present 
time, was formerly the home of Dr. Daniel Fiske. The situation 
of the house has ever been attractive on an elevated site over- 
looking the " Oxford lake," but formerly known as " Towne's 
pond," a name given in honor of the family of that name, as 
the lake was a boundary of their plantations."^ 

It is said Dr. Daniel Fiske was a gentleman possessed of 
great refinement. On the lake he had pleasure boats, which 
added to the landscape picture, and on the south side of his 
mansion were terraces stretching one after another into the 
valley. These terraces were filled with rich border flowers and 
choice herbs, which have now unfortunately disappeared from 
rustic gardens. 

The residence of Mr. John Mayo commanded, from its site 
near the ancient French fort, a beautiful view of the valley be- 
low and the mountains in the distance. Here was an old-fash- 
ioned garden, with old-time fashioned flowers and sweet herbs, 
with choice peach trees. The flowers were arranged with great 
neatness. The house of Mr. Mayo, with antique garden and 
flowers, and its lovely views of surrounding scenery, rendered 
it the most beautiful spot in the county. Mr. Mayo looked 
out upon the same quiet valley and wooded hill-sides for nearly 
ninety years. In the warm spring days Mr. Mayo would be 
seen sitting on the lawn with a book before him, for he was 
fond of reading or watching the bees, for in those days there 
were attached to almost every farm-house garden bee-liives 
ranged on the sunny side of a wall. 



* Jacob Towne was the ancestor of General Towne, of Charlton, and 
Col. Sylvanus Towne, of Oxford. 



240 The Records of Oxford. 

(The ancient farm-house and the site of the French garri- 
son-house were formerly approached from the village street by 
two huge gates, one near the entrance of the old Boston road on 
the Woodstock trail, as it was then designated, and the second 
gate above, as the farm-house was more nearl}' approached.) 

The house of Mr. Samuel Davis of Roxbnry, who came to 
Oxford soon following its first settlement, is in the style of an 
English farm-house. The site of this ancient house was selected 
with much taste. From its height of situation it commands an 
extensive view, not only of the valley lands, with the village of 
Oxford, but distatit views of great beauty. The windows of the 
house were originally small and opened outward on hinges. 
They consisted of very small diamond panes of glass set in 
leaden casements. 

The Samuel Davis house was the last known to have this 
style of windows in the town. Mr. Samuel Davis had pur- 
chased a large tract of land in Oxford of Mr. Gabriel Bernon, 
a French gentleman who possessed a large plantation. On a 
large landed estate, situated on the Boston road about two miles 
from the village street, was the mansion-house of Edward 
Davis, Esq., and subsequently of his son General Jonathan Davis. 
The house was built in the style of an English hall. It would 
appear to have been originally of a brown shade of stone color, 
with its narrow windows heavily and richly set. The house was 
ornamented with a terrace in front. There was an air of home 
comfort and indescribable hospitable aspect about the whole 
mansion. The interior of the house is richly wain scotted. The 
south-east parlor, with its sunny aspect, made it a most charm- 
ing room, and an old buffet was one of the attractions in ancient 
time. It contained the silver and the daintiest china possible. 

In this rich wainscotting in one of the apartments (a tiny 
room) there are delightful little cupboards and small drawers 
and over the chimney piece and in the sides of the room of the 
out of the way corners. 



Notable Old Houses. 241 

Such Clipboards and drawers are all unknown to modern 
houses. 

If a visitor arrived on a winter's day, the hall door opened 
into a pleasant sunny square room with a cheerful fireside in 
full view, which not only presented warmth and cheerfulness, 
but the comforts and luxuries of a country gentleman's home of 
more than a hundred years ago. 

The comfortable kitchen with its enormous chimney and 
hearth of stone, upon which the embers were rarely if ever ex- 
tinguished, and at its side the high-backed settle, the cupboards 
and dressers resplendent with pewter, and so it appears the home 
of Edward Davis, Esq., possessed every thing that ever mod- 
ern aestheticism could suggest for a country home. 

On the marriage of his son, General Jonathan Davis, who 
succeeded his father as the owner of this valuable landed estate 
as utilityrequired, the mansion was enlarged but its archi- 
tectural beauty was lessened as being strictly an English hall. 

Those quaint old homes are being preserved and all the 
fashions restored. 

There is an effort at the present time in the fashion of 
country residences to have them a perfect reproduction of the 
best colonial type of architecture, and the landscape gardening 
has been made to harmonize with it. 

" One of the most charming features is the profusoin of old- 
fashioned flowers, which were so dear to the hearts of our 
grandmothers, which have never been surpassed in real beauty 
by their more pretentious successors with botanial names to 
give them fashion." 

The visit of General Lafayette to Worcester is included in 
the annals of Oxford. 

"General Jonathan Davis of Oxford received an invitation 
from Judge Lincoln to be present at the reception of Gen. 
Lafayette in Worcester and to extend tlie invitation to his 
townsmen." 

31 



242 The Records of Oxford. 

The morning of Sept. 3, 1824, was pleasant, and the drive 
promised an agreeable time. Soon after breakfast General Davis, 
accompanied bj several of his friends, all in fine carriages, "the 
rich one-horse chaise with a yellow body,'' and stylish horses. 
But the old Revolutionary soldiers had set out early on foot or 
in any conveyance at hand to be there to welcome one whom 
they so well remembered.* 

Town meeting, May 21, 1751, voted to build a house for 
Mr. Rogers, to live in as long as he is our school-master, on the 
town's land neer to the meeting-house.f Sixteen feet long and 
sixteen feet wide, besides convenient room for a chimney, voted 

♦The visit of General Lafayette to Worcester, September 3, 1824, 
was the occasion of an enthusiastic demonstration of popular favor. The 
arrangements were in the charge of a committee of citizens, whose chair- 
man was Judge Levi Lincoln (afterward governor) who entertained the 
General at his own house. He was met at West Boylston by a company 
of cavalry under Capt. James Estabrook, and at the town-liue by the 
committee of arrangements. Judge Lincoln met him in a barouche drawn 
by four gray horses at Clark's tavern, a mile or two from the town. A 
regiment of light infantry, under Lieut. Col. Ward, was added to the 
escort. At the entrance to Dr. William Paine's estate, on Lincoln street, 
an arch of flags was erected over the street ; another over Court Hill, 
decorated by the ladies of the town. 

" The children of the public schools were arranged on each side of Main 
street, and threw bunches of laurel before the carriage of Lafayette. 
Another arch of flags was erected on Main street near the Worcester Bank. 
On the arrival of the procession at Judge Lincoln's house, the Judge in 
behalf of the committee of arrangements, delivered an address of wel- 
come, to which the General replied. A very noticeable part of the honors 
rendered to General Layayette was connected with the veterans of the 
Revolution, who had assembled from town and country villages, and 
formed a line of soldiers in the grounds of the Lincoln mansion house, 
and as he entered, every soldier extended his hand for a welcome to one 
they had known and honored on the field of battle. The General returned 
the greeting with much emotion, addressing them as ' my comrades in 
arms.' " 
tin 1753 this church was removed. 



Notable Old Houses. '^243 

thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence to defray the 

charge of building said house. 

Jeremiah Shtjmwat, 
James Hovet, 
Duncan Cambell, 

Committee. 

This cottage for Mr. llogers was located on the north-east 
corner of theSouth Common fronting south. In later times Mr. 
Rogers' house was known as a part of the Wolcott mansion, it 
being the small house attached to the north-east corner of the 
mansion, used for slaves or colored servants in the family. 

The ancient well, near the highway to the Wolcott mansion, 
with its scooped out Indian mortar which in olden 'time was 
used for daily bathing was a well belonging to the town and 
attached to the house of Mr. Rogers. 

Yery near to the house of Mr. Rogers was the Wolcott 
mansion fronting on the south common. This house was erected 
in 1749 (it is said) for the residence of Duncan Campbell, Esq., 
on his marriage to Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas Sterne, 
of Worcester. On the marriage day, accompanied by twelve 
ladies and gentlemen on horseback as an escort, Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell arrived at their home and commenced house-keeping. 
In 1750-1 Josiah Wolcott, Esq., a gentleman, came to Oxford 
to take possession of his Freake andPapillon estates. He mar- 
ried Isabella, the daughter of Rev. John Campbell, and pur- 
chased this estate of Duncan Campbell. 

This Wolcott home was in its time an elegant residence, con- 
structed with much style, the paneled wainscotting very rich 
and elaborate, its long narrow windows with hoods or cowls, as 
they were termed, over windows and doors. In the spacious 
parlor there was a deep fireplace, ornamented with blue and 
white Dutch tiles, representing scenes from sacred history. On 
the parlor walls were rich French hangings, representing belle 
and beau of the past century, the portraits of the ancient 



244 The Records of Oxford. 

Freake and AV^olcott families, painted in the court style of 
Charles II, portraits also of the Kitchen family, with an ancient 
portrait of Judge Wolcott with a huge wig, deep ruffles, and in 
a red velvet mantle, all these portraits representing persons, as 
the town records state, of land proprietors of Oxford. 

A curiously carved buffet, tilled with choice Eastern china 
and heavy silver plate, of such a quantity that an inventory was 
demanded by government, and is still preserved as a relic. 

" And y® sconce a hanging candle stick with a heavy plate 
glass mirror to reflect y^ rays," graced the walls of the elegant 
old parlor. Rich antique furniture ornamented the apart- 
ments. 

And in the hall were hung funeral hatchments. " A silent 
intimation that the rich have been ^"emptying their house and 
replenishing their sepulchres." 

The Earl of Loudoun when he visited the Rev. John Camp- 
bell was also entertained at the Wolcott mansion.* 

The town had sold the church land on the South Common 
to Dr. Holden, a residence fronting on the common, and is 
named in the records of Oxford. It was also the residence of 

* 1771, Monday, March 11. In town meeting, among other items. 
" To know the minds of the Town relating to a strip of laud lying be- 
tween the Revd. Mr. Joseph Bowman's (and) Josiah Wolcott Esqrs. land 
being part of the old Road between their Houses and to do and act thereon 
as the town shall think proper. 

'' Voted and granted to the Revd. Mr. Joseph Bowman part of the eight 
Rod Highway between his house and Josiah ^ Wolcott, Esqr's., which 
has not heretofore been granted away about four Rod wided to the cor- 
ner of said Mr. Wolcott's Wall extending North as liis Board fence now 
stands about sixteen Rods from the Revd. Mr. Bowmans South East cor- 
ner (both residinces fronted south on the south common)."— ^(^Mn Records, 
p. 144. 

It would appear by this conveyance of land that the road, in place of 
passing on the east side of the residence of Josiah Wolcott, was first on 
the west side where the street is now located. The highway on the 
east side is still continued as a private street. 



Notable Old Houses. 245 

Rev. Joseph Bowman. It was a superior bouse iu its time, and a 
part of it is still to be seen, tbougb removed from its former site. 

This bouse was tbe home of several distinguished families. 
Erasmus Babbitt, Esq., a son of Dr. Babbitt of Sturbridge, 
or Brookfield, was a lawyer. He was educated at Harvard 
University, and on his marriage to Mary, a daughter of 
Thomas Saunders of Gloucester, he became a resident of Ox- 
ford, and occupied this ancient mansion. Mary Eliza Babbitt, 
one of his two daughters, married Elkaliau Cushman, and his 
eldest child was Charlotte Saunders Cushman, the celebrated 
actress. Erasmus Babbitt was a captain in the army under Col. 
Rice, stationed in Oxford, in the fall and winter of 1798- 
1799. It is said Capt. Babbitt died in service during the British 
war with the United States, in 1812-1815. 

It was also at one time the residence of Major Archibald 
Campbell, a gentleman distinguished in his time. Afterward 
the old mansion became the home of Mr. John Torrey, of Frank- 
lin, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Torrey were much esteemed in society. 
Of five sons, two became distinguished lawyers ; the eldest son, 
Ebenezer, was educated at Harvard University, studied law in 
the office of John Shepley, Esq. Mr. Torrey became distin- 
guished in his profession. ^In 1849 he was one of the five senators 
elected at large from Worcester county, and was one of a com- 
mittee on banks and banking. Hon. Rufus Torrey also was 
educated at Harvard University. At Mr. Torrey's decease the 
Mobile Register named him as one of the most estimable 
gentlemen of southern Alabama ; he was judge of the County 
Court of Monroe county ; he was chosen to represent the twenty- 
first district in the State Senate ; he died at Claiborne, Alabama, 
September, 1882. 

Harriet, the eldest daughter of John and Sally Richardson 
Torrey, married Lewis Shumway. Sally R., the second daugh- 
ter, married Jonathan Dudlej' of Sutton. On Sept. 13, 1824, 
" the ladies of Oxford presented an elegant standard to the 



246 The Records of Oxford. 

' Oxford Invincibles,' commanded bj Capt. Andrew Sigonrney, 
Jr. ; the standard was presented to Ensign B. Franklin Camp- 
bell by Miss Sally R. Torrey. Miss Torrey's address to the 
soldiers of the ' Light Infantry ' was published in the county 
newspapers and greatly applauded for its merit, Mr. Camp- 
bell's reply was quite noted for its gallantry and patriotism. 
Mr. Campbell closed his address with this sentiment : 'Then, 
with a soldier's devotion, we would offer the trophies of our 
arms and the affection of our hearts, a sacrifice to the holy 
shrine of female virtue.' " 

The ancient school-house on the common was abandoned for 
other localities in different parts of the town, and this an- 
cient building became an English trading-house in Oxford. 
It was owned by Josiah Wolcott. There are ancient store 
accounts still preserved, showing its trade to have been of 
European and India goods. Yarious kinds of cloth and 
taffeta are named as items. Then a mug of flip, Bohea tea and 
other commodities were sold to patrons. This trading-house 
was continued for thirty years or a longer time. Tradition 
states that John Wolcott was the proprietor of a store on 
Sigonrney corner 1782-1793. 

A store was established in Oxford at the close of the 
Revolutionary War. It was attached to the residence of 
James Butler, opposite the North Common. Mr. Butler and 
his brother in law, Captain Andrew Sigonrney, were asso- 
ciated in the business of this countrj^ store, which was filled 
with home-made cloths, linen, tow and woolen fabrics, shoes, 
with shoe and knee buckles, gentlemen's hats, for such was the 
demand that a manufactory of hats was included as an item of 
commerce, as well as the manufacturing of potash; wooden ware 
was also represented in spinning-wheels, and there were candle 
sticks and warming-pans, sugar, molasses and tobacco, with cod- 
fish. Madeira wine and Jamacia rum were articles of trade, in- 
cluding Bohea and extra Hyson teas. 



Notable Old Houses. 247 

There were European and India goods, with various small 
commodities. 

They were the first to introduce cotton in this section of the 
country, at one dollar per pound. Long before Samuel Slater 
of England had established his mills for manufacturing cotton 
cloth in Oxford. In ancient time cotton was mixed with flax 
for domestic fabrics. Specimens of this cloth were taken to 
Worcester to the calico printing establishment of the Stowells,* 
and returned to Oxford as dress ffoods. There are fragments 
of these prints still treasured by some of the descendants of the 
Sigourney family. 

In 1793, or previously, Mr. Butler remained sole proprietor. 
Mr. Sigonrney removed to the village street, and was located 
in a store on the corner of the Sutton road. 

To the tourist who now passes through the town it pre- 
sents very little of the appearance that it would a century 
since. Its lovely lakes still glitter in the bright sunshine. The 
quiet French river glides along through the green meadows as 
in days gone by. Kev. Peter Whitney, a quaint historian 
who visited Oxford one hundred years ago, narrates, 1793: 
"There are two or three stores of European and India goods 
and in the town there are all the common artificers, tradesmen 
and mechanics." (The people being land proprietors.) "There 
are within Oxford limits three grist-mills, six saw-mills, and two 
clothiers' works. There are also in the town potash works." 
Webster was then a part of Oxford. 

The residence of Rev. John Campbell was situated a little 
distance from the South Common, on the Worcester road. After 

* From the newspaper items of Worcester, January 5, 1793 : 

" The weavers shop of Cornelius and Peter Stowell was burned. Loss 

£300. 

"They also carried on calico printing and fancy dyeing." 

In 1793 : " Messrs. Stowel by whom the clothier's business in all its 

branches is carried on to pei-fection. They dye fine scarlet and deep 

blue colors."— Whitney's History. 



248 I The Records of Oxford. 

passing the little bridge over the brook there was an avenue to 
the mansion, with its gambrel roof. The house was superior in 
its style of building, and its location possessed many attractions, 
and was regarded as foreign in its style like houses in Scotland. 

A modern house has been erected on its site. 

It was for many years the residence of Nathan Hall, and his 
descendants still retain the estate. 

On the west side of Main street the next ancient site of a 
house was on the estate of the late Sternes De Witt. This 
estate was the plantation of Nathaniel Chamberlain and once 
the home of the Hamlin family, who removed to Maine. 
Then it passed into the possession of Mr. James Gleason. The 
old house was a small square house located just in front of the 
present mansion. The only attraction of the situation was a 
fine landed estate beautifully located, with ancient trees. 

Near the center of Main street, on the corner of the Charl- 
ton road, was the old " red tavern." 

It is said to have been in its day a good and sufficient house, 
with a large chimney in its center giving fire-places to the 
apartments, fit in all respects for a house of entertainment, with 
stables of large accommodations for the time. The old house 
consisted of a large south-east square room, a staircase and a 
room of a smaller size fronting east on the village street. This 
large square room, with a small entry and staircase, with a 
large kitchen annexed, formed the south front on the Charlton 
road. The house was afterward enlarged with other apartments. 

The large soiTth-east room was the " entertaining-room " so 
called, for in the north-west corner was the bar, where were 
displayed the mugs for flip, the keg of beer, gray earthen 
crocks with sugar and various wines, with Jamaica rum to 
tempt the traveler or lounger to much dissipation. It is said 
landed estates were lost and won at this bar for a " mug of flip 
and a song," and many widows and orphans sufl^ered severely 
for its existence. The first post-office was in this tavern. The 



Notable Old Houses. 249 

landed estate of the old tavern included the site of the present 
hotel. 

This old red tavern was erected in 1760 by Dr. Alexander 
Campbell. In 1773 Ezra Bowman became the proprietor and 
made many improvements ; he remained until 1782. 

The next old mansion was on the site of the present house of 
Dr. Cushman. It was anciently the residence of Mr. John 
"Walker, an English gentleman. It was a notable house with its 
"gamber ruff " (gambrel roof ) and its deep lawn upon the street, 
and its landed estate in back lands, adjacent to the residence, and 
at the present time it is noticeable for elegance. Its ancient 
northern boundary included the Town Hall ; it was bounded 
southerly by Quaboag lane, two rods wide, being a road to 
Charlton and Sturbridge. Mr. Walker married Mary, daughter 
of Duncan Campbell, Esq. The house was richly furnished 
with antique furniture, the walls were adorned with family 
portraits from England. This valuable estate passed into the 
Russell family, and was afterward owned by Jonathan Sibley, 
and then followed by Thomas Nichols as owner of the estate. 

The mansion-house of Abijah Davis, Esq., was the last resi- 
dence in Oxford which was built in English style with rich 
wainscotting. It is beautifully located on South Main street, 
once a part of the Hogburn estate. The landed estate was 
very valuable and is so considered at the present time. The house 
was erected 1795. Col. Rice, while in Oxford, occupied for 
his quarters the residence of the late Abijah Davis, Esq. It is 
said " he lived in great style and that Madame Rice required 
many servants and much waiting upon herself, and that she 
was dressed in rich silk gowns and her best wig every day." 

During the administration of John Adams a detachment of 
the United States army, consisting of several regiments of in- 
fantry, was stationed in Oxford under the command of Col. 
Nathaniel Rice of Sturbridge from October, 1798, to June, 
1800. 

32 



250 The Records of Oxford. 

On the east side of Main street there was an ancient house on 
or near the site of the residence of the late William Sigourney. 
On the corner of Main street and the Sutton road was the trad- 
ing-house or store of Capt. Andrew Sigouray, Sen. Afterward, 
on the same site, was erected a new store for his son, Capt. 
William Sigourney, and in modern times was a post-office, but 
one hundred years ago there was no post-office in Oxford. On 
the left-hand entrance to the Sutton road near the store was the 
quaint old mansion of Andrew Sigourney, Sen. Opposite the 
store, on the right hand of Main street and on Sutton road, was 
an old house on the site of the present brick house, once the 
residence of Andrew Sigourney, Sen. This part of Main street 
has ever been known as Sigourney corner. 

On the east side of Main street, on the site of the present 
Protestant Episcopal church, there was a house pleasantly 
situated and roomy ; it presented many attractions with its 
pleasant garden. The last house on the east side of the main 
street was that of Dr. Alexander Campbell, a gamhrel roof, 
fine old mansion, occupying a site in the rear or on the east 
side of the mansion of the heirs of the late Israel Sibley. A 
cottage has been erected on the site of Dr. Campbell's house. 
The estate originally had extensive grounds in front, reaching to 
the street, with large elms as shade trees. These grounds are 
now included with the residence of the Sibley heirs. 

The last house on the main street, west side, was the residence 
of Richard Moore, Esq. This residence was at the south end of 
what was called the "village street." This ancient house, belong- 
ing to the Moore family, was in its day a substantial mansion, 
built in the style of an English hall, its gables being on the 
north and south, fronting on the street, but extending westerly, 
giving a south front, and like every house in those times served 
as a sundial, for at mid-day the sun shone square upon the south 
front, and for many years in modern times a leaden sundial was 
seen attached to one of its south window-sills. 



Notable Old Houses. 251 

The broad street door opening into one of its apartments 
was rich and much ornamented in its architecture, as were the 
houses of the gentry ; in its different apartments were large 
broad-breasted chimneys, occupying space sufficient for a good- 
sized apartment, with large open fire-places, and then there was 
in these pleasant rooms rich wainscotting. The house com- 
manded a southern landscape of its own landed estate with a 
narrow lawn and lovely garden.* This landed estate was a 
part of the Samuel Hagburn plantation, and was bounded 
northerly by Quaboag lane. The house was large and elegant. 
It was the home of Kichard Moore, Sen., in his declining years, 
and also of his son Richard, and also of Marvin, son of Richard. 

The giant oak which anciently overshadowed the Moore res- 
idence still stands on the lawn as a sentinel on duty and a 
landmark to direct the traveler. It was a tree of great size 
and age two hundred years ago, and from one decade of years 
to another has shaded many groups of children in their childish 
sports. The old oak could tell many stories of those who have 
played beneath its shade, and grown old and passed away.f 

'* I swear by leaf, and wind, and rain. 
And hear me with thine ears, 
That I circle in the grain 
Five hundred rings of years. 

" And I have shadowed many a group 
Of beauties that were born 
In tea-cup times of hood and hoop, 

Or while the patch was worn." — Tennyson. 



* In New England tall English clocks were uncommon; few were im- 
ported, but soon came into general use. In some English church-yards 
there were sundials of stone and a sundial over the door of a south front 
on old English churches. 

t The late Honorable Ira Moore Barton of Worcester, Mass., often visited 
the Moore place as the home of his ancestors. The Moore family were 
originally of Scotch extraction, tracing back their ancestry to the time 
of William the Conqueror. 



252 The Records of Oxford. 

Timothy Harris removed to Oxford in 1733, from Water- 
town, having purchased the old Huguenot mill at the south 
end of the village street in Oxford, on the road to the French 
Fort, owned in the French settlement by Gabriel Bernon. 
This mill lot was once the plantation of Jonathan Tillotson, a 
planter in the English settlement. 

Mr. Harris and his descendants retained this estate for one 
hundred and fifty years. There was an ancient house on this 
estate which was regarded with interest into the present cen- 
tury. 

A small house with a half acre of land on Main street nearly 
opposite the Town Hall was the home of Abner Miller, the 
sexton of the village. There is a tradition that a gentleman 
resided here as a recluse, boarding at the Ked Tavern, and was 
always engaged in writing. He had received many services 
from Abner Miller, and on leaving town he placed his house 
and land in the care of Mr. Miller until his return ; he never 
appeared and Miller held the estate. 

On the Red Tavern estate north on the site of the Town 
Hall was a small cottage which was erected by the heirs of Dr. 
Alexander Campbell, who died at his home east of Israel 
Sibley's house January, 1785, for his widow, who survived him 
until March, 1816, she having relinquished her dower to favor 
the heirs in the rich old gambrel-roofed mansion situated 
easterly of the present estate of the late Israel Sibley estate. 



Roads and Milestones. 253 

CHAPTER XIX. 

E.OADS AND Milestones. 

Milestones. 
The old milestone on Lincoln street, Worcester, is of red 
sandstone, with the following inscription : 

42 

Miles from 

Boston 50 to 

Springfield, 

1771. 

By a Provincial enactment made in Governor Hutchinson's 
time, this milestone was one of many placed in the year 1771 
along on the " New Connecticut road," which way was after- 
ward called the " post road " from Bostor) to New York and 
Albany. This road left Boston for Marlborough thence to 
Quinsigamoud (Worcester) and then to Brookfield and so on to 
Springfield. 

In the history of the town of Northborough, once a part of 
Marlborough, it is stated " The oldest vestige of pioneer life 
still in existence is doubtless the great road to Worcester, as it 
is called." 

Originally this road in 1672 was only a pathway or trail 
through the forests, when Marlborough was a frontier settle- 
ment with its garrison house. After leaving Marlborough 
there was no habitation on the Boston road to Springfield until 
the garrison house was reached at Quabaug (now Brookfield) 
with the exception in Quinsigamoud (Worcester) of a little 
Indian town of huts on Pakachoag Hill, the highlands of 
which reach the town of Auburn. On or near the site of this 
Indian town is now located " Holy Cross College." 



254 TJie Records of Oxford. 

This Indian town is described by Gookin : 

" This village Ijeth about three miles south of the new 
roadway that leadeth from Boston to Connecticut; it consists 
of about twenty families. This town is situated upon a fer- 
tile hill and is denominated from a delicate spring of water 
that is there." 

Settlement of Worcester. "A tract of land eight miles 
square was purchased of the Indians for twelve pounds lawful 
money. The deed bears date July 13, 1674." 

Dec. 2, 1675, Increase Mather writes: "This day all the 
houses in Quonsukamuck (Worcester) were burned by the 
Indians." 

"At what is West Brookfield, near to the south-west end of 
Wickabaug Pond, on a knoll below the junction of the waters 
of the pond with Quabaug river, stood Mark's garrison." 

Quabaug (Brookfield) became the established English bridle 
path between the Bay and the Connecticut. " The single 
horseman or a cavalcade of riders and pack horses was a com- 
mon sight to the Indians." The Old Connecticut road had in 
a manner ceased to be used as the most traveled path to Con- 
necticut and was already displaced by the New Connecticut 
road. 

The Old Connecticut road was the inland trail of Massachu- 
setts of which we have the most ancient account. From 
Cambridge it proceeded to the south-east part of Marlborough, 
then passed to Hassamamisett (Grafton, a part of the township 
of Sutton) and thence to Oxford near the French fort, Wood- 
stock and so on to Springfield. 

It is stated that in the autumn of 1630 the chief of the Indians 
of Wabquasset, now Woodstock, visited the English governor 
at the Bay to establish a trading house, and this Indian trading 
expedition brought this forest path to the knowledge of the 
English, who made it their way to travel to the Connecticut 
Valley. 



Roads and Milestones. 255 

John Oldham followed this old Connecticut path in 1633, 
odging in Indian towns all the way. A well-defined trail 
from Mount Hope and the Narraganset conntrj, known as the 
Providence path, intersected the Old Connecticut path in or 
near Woodstock, Another trail, known as the Nipmnck path, 
came from Norwich to the same point of junction. From 
here a branch track proceeded to the north-west into Sturbridge, 
where it separated, one track going westerly past the lead 
mines, and on to Springfield. Miss Ellen D. Larned, the 
author of the History of Windham County, writes of this 
"Connecticut path:" "This rude track became the main 
thoroughfare between the two colonies, Massachusetts and 
Connecticut. Hundreds of families toiled over it to reach 
homes in the wilderness. The fathers of Hartford and New 
Haven, ministers and governors, captains and commissioners, 
government officials and land speculators, crossed and recrossed 
this forest path." 

There were milestones placed all the way along this " Old 
Connecticut road" from Boston to Springfield. 

On the southerly front of the site of the house of Col. 
Woodbury in Sutton stands the queen of all milestones ; it is 
of red sandstone, five feet in height, two feet wide and eight 
inches in thickness, with this inscription : 

1 48 
ML To 
Boston 

1771 

B W 

Col. Bartholomew Woodbury of Sutton was the proprietor 
of a country inn which was with a fine landed estate situated 
on this " Old Connecticut road." Col. Woodbury offered the 
commissioners, who were directing the sites of the milestones, 
if they would make the last mile a little less than its limit, 



256 The Records of Oxford. 

placing it near to his liouse, that it might attract travellers, he 
would be at the expense of erecting the milestone, and that it 
should excel all others en route from Boston to Springfield on 
this same Old Connecticut road. 

At every country inn there was a horse block for the con- 
venience of travellers on horseback — a gentleman in the 
saddle, may be, and a lady on a pillion behind him. Ladies of 
high position had a separate horse with a side-saddle, and were 
escorted by a gentleman or a servant, and to avoid the gaze of 
travellers wore masks of black velvet, as was the fashion of 
the time. 

Lons since the brown house, with its huge cobble stone 
chimney and oven outside the house, has passed away and only 
its stately milestone with its companion, the horse block, 
covered in the summer time with greenery and flowers, remain 
to mark the site of the " Wayside Inn." There is one notable 
milestone in Oxford on this Old Connecticut road where the 
Sutton road enters tlie village street. It stands on Sigourney 
corner and was erected by Josiah Wolcott, a resident of Ox- 
ford, with this inscription : 

53i 

Miles to 

Boston 

J & W 

1771 

Milestones were anciently placed along the roads in eastern 
countries. 

It is said by travellers at the present time in Palestine they 
may be seen here and there in that country. 

Milestones were once common in England, viz., the roads 
leading from London to the large towns. 

" 'Tis such an easy walk, so smooth and straight, 
The second milestone fronts the garden gate." 

— ' ' RetireTnmt, ' ' Cowper. 



Roads and Milestones. 257 

The Bay Path. 

In 1673 this highway was estabhshed for the use of the 
country leading from Watertowu as the nearest and best way 
to Marlborough and thence to Quabaug (Brookfield). This 
new path left the " Old Connecticut path " at " Happy Hol- 
low" (now in Way land) and passed through Marlborough, 
Worcester, Oxford in its northern section, Charlton on to 
Brookfield where it parted, one branch following the old trail or 
Old Connecticut road to Springfield, and the other leading on 
through Ware and Belchertown to Hadley. 

The late Hon, Salem Towne, of Charlton, stated that re- 
mains of the " Old Bay road " were still to be seen lying in the 
western valley lands of Charlton ; vestiges of this " Bay road " 
are still remaining in Oxford on the Old North Charlton road. 

The " Old Bay path " is beautifully described by Dr. 
Holland in his romance of that name. 

" It was a path marked by trees a portion of the distance, 
and by slight clearings of brush and thicket for the remainder. 
No stream was bridged, no hill graded, and no marsh drained. 
The path led through woods which bore the mark of centuries, 
over barren hills that had been licked by the Indian's hounds 
of fire, and along the banks of streams that the seine had 
never dragged." 

Note. — In July, 1675, Epbraim Curtis was engaged to conduct 
' ' Uncas bis six men " from Boston home. He says, ' ' I conducted [them] 
safly while I com in sight of Webquesesne new planting fielde, first to 
Natuck, from thenc to Marelborrow, thenc to Esnemisco, thenc to 
Mumchogg [Oxford], thenc to Chabanagon komug, thenc to Mayenecket, 
thenc over the river to Seneksig, while wee cam nere to Wabaquasesn 
wher they were willing that wee should leve them." — Ma&s. Arch., Ixvii, 
214. 

The old ^Connecticut road or Woodstock path, now the road to 
Webster, was long since trod by the Connecticut pioneers, Huguenots, 
and many others. The Shumway house was on this Old Connecticut 
road. 

33 



258 The Records of Oxford. 

" It is wonderful what a powerful interest was attached to 
the Bay path, tlie rough thread of soil, chopped by the blades 
of a hundred streams, was the one way left open, through 
which the sweet tide of sympathy might flow. Every rod had 
been prayed over by friends on the journey and friends at 
home. If every traveller had raised his Ebenezer as the morn- 
ing dawned upon his trusting sleep, the monuments would have 
risen and stood like milestones." 

The late Mr. Samuel Mayo, whose ancestors were in the 
English settlement of Oxford, stated that the old Connecticut 
road or Boston road passed near to the French fort in Oxford and 
could be traced for a considerable distance, it being on the Indian 
great trail to Woodstock, Ct., passing by or very near the resi- 
dence of late John Hurd. This old Connecticut road passed 
near to the mills known for many years as owned by Ebenezer 
Kich, and then near the residence of Samuel Davis. 

" In 1656 the road or bridle-path from Boston to Hadley was 
to Marlborough, then to Brookfield, the nearest settlement west, 
and then on to Hadley meadows, guided by blazed or marked 
trees through the wilderness, to Brookfield in the road of Con- 
necticut. 

" The Old Bay path or road crossed the Quaboag at Brookfield, 
following somewhat the course of this (river), and " Chicuppee 
to Indian Orchard, thence to Agawam (Springfield)."* 



*In 1674 Major Gookin states iu naming Hassanamesit [Grafton] : " It 
is near unto the old road way to Connecticut." The most direct route 
from Grafton to Woodstock, Ct., is through Oxford. 

On a plan dated April 1, 1713, iu the Massachusetts Archives, of a 
grant of land to Jethro Coffin, located in Northbridge, there is laid 
down easterly and westerly, a line designated as the "French road " (to 
Oxford). — Plans and Grants, i, 240. 

Marlboro Records, May 21, 1688. There is mention made in view 
of a line of division between the western and eastern jjarts of the town. 
" To be made by a line at the cart- way at Stirrup-Brook, where Conecti- 



Roads and Milestojies. 259 

From the Sutton Records is the following reference to the 
Oxford road through Sutton : " The road from Oxford to Marl- 
borough, beginning at the farms,* so returning upon the point of 
compasse to the meeting-house hill, thence to the north side of 
Elisha Johnson's house to Cold-spring brook, six rods wide 
from the heads of the proprietors' ^lotts — laid out March, 1716, 
by Nathaniel Brewer, Jonathan Draper, Eleazur Daniels." 

Elisha Johnson's cabin was situated very near the place now 
occupied by Samuel Prescott. 

In 1T13 old roads in the English settlement of Oxfoi'd : " A 
way laid out by the select men beginning att a white oake tree 



coat way now goeth over " (uow within the limits of Northborough, a 
part of Marlborough). 

In 1717 this division line was one of the boundary lines of the town 
of Westboro. • 

This way was called in the old records '' the great trail, " as plainly 
indicating that it was originally the Indian path — (which passed the 
French fort in Oxford to Woodstock). 

March 30, 1683. There is a record of a petition for a bridge across 
the "Medfield river." 

The court grant the petition. " Whereas, the way to Kenecticut 
now used, being very hazardous to travellers, by reason of one deep river 
that is passed fower or five times over, which may be avoided as is con- 
ceived by a better and nearer way, it is refered to Major Pynchon to order 
the said to be laid out and well marked." — Mass. Col. Rec, v, 391. 

"Quaboag lane" in Oxford, once an Indian trail to Brookfield, which 
forded the river near the stone arch bridge entered the Eight-rod way 
from the west, bounding the north side of the estate of late Abijah 
Davis, formerly a part of the plantation of Samuel Hagburn. 

In 1711 there is a record of land of Major Fitch included in Windham 
County, Ct., in the northern part of the county where the " Connecticut 
path " is designated as entering the town of Thompson, near the middle 
of its northern boundary-line and near to where the "Frenchtown river,'' 
as there named, enters the town. This Connecticut path it would appear 
must have been on the westerly side of Chanbunagunganiaug pond and 
this would indicate that its course was through Oxford . 

* " Manchaug Farms " (West Sutton). 



26o The Records of Oxford. 

on Jonson's plain near Woodstock path running northwardly 
marked on the west sid to ueland's feald on the great plain by 
the old mill place, from thence marked on the East sid by staks 
and trees tel it corns to the brooke on the Northwardly sid of 
peter Shum way's frame of his house, from thence on the West 
sid of the swamp to and by the ends of the house lots of John 
Town and Daniel Eloit Juner sd way being Eight rods wide laid 
out fnbrnary the sixt 1713-4" — Ibid.; 1 Village Rec. This 
" way " included the present Main street. 

May 24, 1716, at a town meeting legally warned Eichard 
Moore, chosen moderator voted in y® affirmative y* there should 
be a east bridg built ouer y^ brook in y^ Eight Rod highway 
y® brook commonly called y^ mill brook. 

May 24, 1716, voted y' there shall be a bridg made passabal 
for horses ouer y* brook by Jonathan Tillotsons on the four rod 
way to the fort. 

May 24, 1716, voted also y* there shall be a bridg built ouer 
y® brook in y* highway near Ollouer Collers on the Sutton road. 

The Record of Mr. campbcls petison to y* proprietors of ox- 
ford village : 

oxford, march 16'^ 1723. 
Gentlemen : 

Whereas I haue for the benefit of Trauellers and Inhabit- 
ants Turned tlie eight rod highway opposite to my house and 
the two rod highway that Leads to the great meadow ; the eight 
rod highway is Shortened about ten or eleuen rods and the other 
about so maney as allso it hath saved the making of a bridge of 
some considerable charges and therefore I humbly Request that 
you would be pleased to accept of the Turning of the aboue 
Said ways at your next meeting. 

JOHN CAMPBELL, 

At a proprietors meeting March 19"\ 1723, in oxford uillge 
the queston being put whether Mr. Campbell's Request Should 
be Granted which was voted in the afirmatiue. 



Roads and Afilestoftes. 261 

March 11, 1759. " To accept of the county road 4 rods wide 
from the stone bridge by the Rev. Mr. Campbell's land then 
through a corner of Mr. Campbell's land and also through Mr. 
Duncan Campbell's land that he bought lately of Mi'. Joseph 
Eocket straight into the county road west of the barn on said 
land allowing said Duncan Campbell liberty to shut up four 
rods of the eight rod road against Dr. Holden's and Mr. 
Mellins." 

Town meeting May 20, 1765, voted to accept of a Bridle road 
from Mr. William Browns to Mr. John Town's house instead 
of an open one ; upon consideration that Isaac Town will make 
and maintain two suitable gates, one at each end of said 
Road.* 

French river, so called by the English, runs through the town. 
Tlie river runs about three-quarters of a mile west of the 
great road that leads over Oxford plain, and falls into the Quine- 
bang in the town of Thompson, in Connecticut. Rev. Dr. 
Holmes writes : In passing the bridge which is at a considerable 
distance below the village of Oxford (on the Webster road), 
seeing a boy near the bridge I asked him, " What is the 

* In 1808, to facilitate travel and for the more rapid communication by- 
mail, the Providence and Douglas turnjjike was made through what at 
that time was almost a dense forest. Another turnpike, which was a 
continuation of this Providence road, extended from Douglas to Oxford 
and for many years it was the most direct traveled route from Providence 
to Oxford and the towns in the vicinity. It passed through a large tract 
of land in the Douglas woods, including the Streeter farm, so called. 
This '* Gore turnpike " through the woods was built in 1826. The terri- 
tory lying west of Douglas previously to this date was known as " Ox- 
ford South Gore, '' now Webster, and a road crossing the turnpike in the 
south part, of the town as the " Gore road !" There were toll-gates on the 
turnpike road ; each person on horseback or with a chaise was required to 
pay twelve and a half cents at these gates. At about the close of the last 
century the Boston and New York turni^ike passed through this section 
of country. There was an immense amount of travel over this road during 
the War of 1812 from all of the eastern towns. 



262 The Records of Oxford. 

name of tliis river?" "French* river," he replied. "Why," 
I asked, "is it called French river?" "I believe," said he, 
" there was some French people once here," — pointing up the 
stream. 

The Eight-rod way, so named in the English settlement of 
the town, commenced south at the junction of the present 
Thompson and Webster roads at the farm long known as the 
Jonas Leonard estate, passing northerly over Johnson's Plain, 
the Great Plain and Towne's Plain, including the Daniel Eliott 
mill estate on the north. 

Upon the Eight-rod way were located mostly the plantations 
of the English in their settlement of Oxford. On the Great Plain 
south was the plantation of Samuel Hagburu on the west side ; 
it reached northerly to Quaboag lane ; on the easterly side from 
the Hnguenot mill estate on its northern boundary to the 
Episcopal church, including the site of a house north of this 
church. Thomas Gleason, a gentleman who possessed wealth, 
was an original proprietor of a plantation on the south-east 
corner of Main street and Sutton road, now known as Andrew 
Sigourney corner. This plantation bounded on the south the 
Samuel Hagburn estate. The Gleason estate extended on the 
Sutton road to the brook. Oliver Coller's plantation was on 
the north-east corner of Main street and the Sutton road ; on 
the Sutton road it extended to the brook and northerly on 
Main street to the plantation of Joseph Rockwood — which 
included the Josiah Wolcott estate and joined the estate of 
Rev. John Campbell. Nathaniel Chamberlain's plantation 
extended from the South Common to the estate of Benjamin 
Chamberlain, which included the site of Memorial Hall, Old 
Red Tavern and extended south to Quaboag lane. 

*This river was called French river in the early English settlement. 
It is named as a boundary in Rev. John Campbell's " Will." The Indian 
name of the French river was the Maanexit. It might ever have been 
retained by the English as a memento of the Nipmuck Indians. 



Roads and Milestones. 263 

Towne's Plain — John Towne, one of the original proprie- 
tors of Oxford, resided on a part of liis plantation which ad- 
joined the North Common, at the present time, 1890, known 
as the estate of Joseph Stephens. John Towne conveyed this 
estate to his son Jonathan, who gave the estate to his son John, 
who was a Captain in the War of the Revolution. Ephraim 
Towne, son of John Towne, Sen., owned the estate west of the 
North Common, and with his brotlier Jonathan, known at 
present as the estate of late Joseph Brown. Jonathan Towne 
conveyed to Duncan Campbell in 1748, who erected the 
present house. Israel Towne was the proprietor of the estate 
opposite Towne's pond, known once as the Dr. Daniel Fiske 
estate, later as the estate of Ira Merriam. 

In 1749 a road from Jacob Towne's into the old Charlton 
road north of Towne's pond. 

In 1736 the Court of Sessions ordered a cart bridge to be 
built over the river in the North gore " on the road to Oxford." 

The road easterly of the North Common to Sutton was 
made prior to 1750. 

In 1788 a road was made to Sutton past the Lovett farm. 

In 1803 a road from present Howarth north to Charlton 
road was accepted. 

July, 1817, from Nichols' mill east and south by the pond to 
Charlton road ; a cart road with bars and gate had been estab- 
lished prior to this date. * » r ri.<-..ii. 

1791 a road to Charlton from Gen. Le^nafd's west, two rods 
wide, at present time discontinued. 

March, 1731, a road from the Eight-rod way on (Towne's 
Plain) north side of Towne's pond, past the little cedar swamp 
and crossing the river at Joseph Brown's place, discontinued 
in 1819. 

May, 1793, from North Common west to the bridge inter- 
secting the old road to Charlton, north of Towne's pond, con- 
tinued to the present time. 



264 The Records of Oxford. 

A road to Charlton was laid out and completed in 1785 from 
Lieut. John Nichols', on the Sturbridge road, near the present 
school-house in the Buifum district, easterly over the river at 
the present stone bridge, entering the Main street near the 
tavern at the center. 

An old record states, " began four rods south of the house 
of Ezra Bowman inn-holder on westerly to a popple in Qua- 
boag or town road, thence west to the river and Coburn's land, 
thence on near John Nichols' house." 

" Coming home from Worcester on Tuesday night my horse 
fell with me and hurt me so that I cannot be at Worcester this 
court. You will take care of the road with Maj' Upham if he 
is needed. You can inform the court that the Town of Oxford 
maintains seven Bridges over the same river, [French] and 
this not of any service to the Town, it is thought that it will 
cost the Town Two hundred pounds if it is accepted. There is 
one Bridge within less than a hundred rods, there is one other 
Bridge that is to be built over the same river to come to Town 
from Elijah Leonard's and that part of the Town it is thought a 
great burden if it is accej)ted aa the bench is very thin it may 
be left to put it to August. You can inform the court that the 
Town are very unanimous in opposing it. 

" from yours to serve 

" Oxford, June IS^*^ 1797. SILYANUS TOWN. 

" Maj"" John D. Dunbak." 



Taverns and Post-offices. 265 

CHAPTER XX. 

Taverns and Post-offices, 

Daniel Eliott was the first inn-holder in Oxford, 1714, at the 
extreme north end of the village, near the crossing of the 
Eliott mill brook and Worcester road and the Hawes estate, 
which includes some of the Eliott place. 

In 1715 the second tavern was that of Richard Moore, who 
was licensed on the Samuel Hagburn estate, which he had 
purchased, subsequently owned by Dr. Alexander Campbell as 
a residence, late Israel Siblej' estate. The house was located a 
little distance easterly of Main street. 

For forty-five years it was the hotel of the village. In 1734 
Elijah, son of Richard Moore, succeeded his father and con- 
tinued until 1760. 

Moses Marcy was licensed in 1736 as a tavern-keeper in Ox- 
ford, at the most westerly part of the town, now Southbridge. 

" Worcester S S Anno R R^ Georgij Secundi nunc Magnse 
Britaniae Franciae et Hiberniae Octavo. 

Att a Court of Generall Sessions of the peace begun and held 
at Worcester within and for the County of Worcester on The 
Second Tuesday of August being the thirteenth day of Said 
month Annoq Dom 1734" — 

" Tavern Keepers and Retailors Lycenced y* year Ensuing & 
y* gave bond." 

Oxford 
Elijah Mooke Inholdr 
1735 
" A list of Tavern Keepers and Retailors Lycenced by this 
Court & y® names of the Suretys." 
34 



266 The Records of Oxford. 

Oxford 

Mr. Elijah Moore; Capt. Moore principall, Suretjs Capt. 
Flagg & Joe: Crosby. 

Mr. Moses Marcy principall — Siiretys Capt. Flagg & J no. 
Stacy New Medficld. 

1636 

" A list of Inbolders and Ketailors lycenced by this Court 
with y® Names of their Suretys each principall Recognized in 
fifty pound and Each Surety in Twenty five pounds. 

" The following persons are Inbolders unless Retailor is added 
to there names." 

OXFOKD 

Mr. Elijah Moore, Capt. Moore principall Suretys Danl New- 
ball Joe Crosby. 

Capt. Moses Marcy Capt. Flagg principall Suretys Jno 
Harwood Joseph Dyer. 

To keep a tavern " a convenient sign was to be set out at 
the most conspicuous " place to give notice to strangers. There 
was a tall stafi in front of the South tavern which swung aloft 
in the wind tlie creaking sign board. In days away back in 
the history of the town this hotel was a noted resort, when public 
meetings, dances, balls and other assemblies of a political, 
social and business character were usually held in such public 
houses, and being then famed for athletic games, for the excel- 
lency of its flip and punch. It was the gathering place of con- 
vival spirits in Oxford and the country around in its vicinity. 
As for the bar-room itself it was usually filled with village 
loungers. Samuel Campbell it is said was the proprietor and 
landlord of this hotel some years. In the olden time before 
daily papers and mails were established, the neigbbors used to 
gather at the village tavern to learn the news from travelers, 
and find out about the markets by teamsters from Boston. 

Col. Sylvanus Learned, on bis return home from the Revolu- 
tionary War, after a long service, received $1,500 in Continental 



Taverns and Post-offices. 267 

money, which one day in the tavern he sold for a mug of flip. 
CoL Learned considered his payment as worthless and made 
this disposal as to its value. 

It is related that upon a time a " professional " from a dis- 
tance having heard of Samuel Davis,* known in all the region 
as a wrestler, came to town to try a match with him. 

" News of the affair quickly spread through the village, and a 
large company assembled at the old tavern on the plain to see 
the sport. Mr. Davis, who was not personally known to his 
opponent, kept a little in the back ground, and when the match 
was "called," his brother Elijah, who was a stalwart man, stepped 
forward, and grappling with the champion, after some\vhat a 
lengthened contest, was thrown. Samuel, who had watched 
closely his antagonist for the purpose of learning his game, 
now walked into the ring, saying : " I am the man you came to 
Oxford to wrestle with," and very soon demonstrated his 
superiority."f 

" In 1777 Agreeable to an act of court entitled, ' An act to 
prevent monopoly and oppression,' "Inn-holders for a meal 
of victuals of their best kind not to exceed Is. 6d, and of com- 
mon kind 8d, flip made of the best New England rum pr. mug 
8d. and made from West India rum not to exceed lOd." 

" For lodging a single person over night, S^d. For keeping 
a horse 24 hours Is. 3d.":|: 

* Mr. Davis, of Oxford, it is said, was noted as a person of great mus- 
cular strength. In person he was tall and broad-breasted, possessed of 
a fine personal appearance, and was ever fond of all athletic games — in 
which he excelled. His residence was on the landed estate now owned 
by Charles Lovett. 

t History of Samuel Davis of Oxford and his Descendants. 

+ M*" Dunbar. Dr. 

To Breakfast, 4 6 

Dinner, 5 • 7 

Supper, 1 1 



268 The Records of Oxford. 

Major Dunham of Col. Nathan Rice's* Regiment, then quar- 
tered in Oxford, delivered an address in January, 1800, to the 
soldiers. Free Masons and citizens of Oxford, on receiving 
the announcement of the death of General Washington, who 
died at his residence at Mount Vernon, Dec. 14, 1799. 

The people assembled with crape on their arms, followed by 
a company of militia with muffled drums. This military and 
Masonic funeral procession was formed on Oxford plain, includ- 
ing Col. Rice's Regiment, and proceeded as far as the old North 

To Lodging 1 4 

Grog 

Wine 3 

Punch 

Servants 

Horses 9 

Seat in Stage to 

£17 4 



Received Payment, 1794, March 29, 

Ephraim Mower. 

(Capt. Ephraim Mower's tavern was at the corner of Mechanic street, 
near the spot where Clark's Block now stands, in Worcester.) 

*In Oxford, October, 1798, a detachment of the United States Army, 
consisting of four regiments of Infantry under the command of Col. 
Nathan Rice, was stationed in Oxford on the high land west of the vil- 
lage street, afterward known as Camp hill. A number of the officers of 
this army had their headquarters at the two hotels. It is said at the 
old tavern on the north common that the " money coffer " used by them 
is still to be seen in the south-east room. Soldiers for disobedience were 
fastened to the staff which supported the south tavern sign, and received 
a severe punishment at this whipping-post. 

The high land west of the village street, occupied by Col. Rice's Regi- 
ment, long retained the name of Camp hill as having been the place of 
the soldiers' encampment. Opposite this height of land, on the south 
side of the road leaving Oxford, there are the remains of a ditch made 
by the soldiers as a punishment for their misdemeanors. 



Taverns attd Post-offices. 269 

Common. A coffia was borne on a bier and surmounted by a 
funeral urn.* 

" Lt. Everett, 5 Mass. Eeg. : 

" General Washington presents his compliments to Lt. Everett, and 
requests the favor of his company at dinner tomorrow, 3 o'clock, Tuesday. 

''Answer if you please." 

This note of invitation is now in the possession of Leonard 
E. Thajer, a lineal descendant of Col. Everett. 

It is said that the soldiers in the army stationed in Oxford 
in the years 1798, 1799 and 1800 introduced much dissipation 
into the town. 

At the tavern on the village street the barroom was so 
crowded evenings with soldiers calling for their mug of flip, 
that the bar-keeper was obliged in taking the red heated 
logger head from the fire, to brandish it before him to permit 
himself to enter the bar. 

The sale of wine and brandy was immense, and that a large 
income from it was derived by the proprietor is not to be 
doubted/ ' At the north tavern there was no bar at this time, 
and it was no place sought as a resort for the soldiers. It ap- 
pears there was no bar in this hotel until after the year 1820. 

There was an ancient store attached to this hotel on the north 
side, where Madeira wine was sold, with bi-andy and Jamaica 
ram. If any guests wished for the wine, etc., they were fur- 
nished from the store or cellar. 

There was much boiling, roasting and baking going on in the 
tavern before the " muster." 

The militia trainings, too, made lively days at the village 

*The following item is found in the "Worcester Spy, dated June 18, 
1800: 

"On Tuesday the 10th inst, Gen. Alexander Hamilton and his suite 
arrived at Oxford to settle the business relative to the discharge of the 
troops stationed there ; and on Friday last he passed through this town 
on his way to Boston." 



270 The Records of Oxford. 

tavern, and then the old-fasliioned muster (or military review) 
which came in September, the mustering of all the com- 
panies of soldiers in a regiment or brigade for a general 
training. At sunrise the drums were beating. The general 
reviewed the soldiers and the military review ended in a sham 
fight. Each company endeavored to be first on parade to go 
through with its manoeuvres in presence of an admiring crowd 
of spectators, the fifes playing " Yankee Doodle " and " On 
the road to Boston," tunes which had animated the hearts of 
the soldiers of the Revolution. 

The uniforms were blue coats with red ' facings and bright 
buttons, white pantaloons, caps with tall white plumes tipped 
with red. 

The annual muster (or regimental training) was a great oc- 
casion for these military reviews. The companies, infantry and 
light artillery, riflemen, grenadiers and cavalry or troopers and 
artillery, with their cannons, assembled together and became the 
center of attraction. Military ofiicers retired from service wel- 
comed the review by their presence. Men and boys followed 
them on the public roads. Horse jockeys, gingerbread carts, 
peddlers of every description, with showmen with wax figures, 
monkeys and bears, enlivened the day, and all became as a grand 
carnival. These scenes of gayety sometimes were for two 
days continued. In Oxford the ground chosen for this military 
review was selected on the estate of late Andrew Sigourney 
near the corner of Main street and Sutton road in a large field 
adjoining his brick mansion house, bounded northerly by the 
Sutton road. In Sutton the large fields of the late James Free- 
land's farm were selected. 

It is said military trainings were then common in all the 
country towns. Much rivalship was manifested by the towns 
to see which could produce the best-drilled, uniformed, armed 
and equipped companies. The regimental musters or reviews 
were scenes of great public festivity and enjoyment. 



Taverns and Post-offices. 271 

One can picture a village tavern at nightfall. There had 
arrived travelers on horseback with portraauteans made of 
leather, or as substitutes long sacks woven of coarse red and 
green yarn, with leather tops and bottoms, called saddlebags, 
into which all their luggage however minute or bulky had 
been packed. 

Ladies as well as gentlemen traveled in this fashion, with 
side saddles, and children were transported through the coun- 
try in the same manner, sitting on pillions (little cushions 
stuffed with feathers) attached to the saddle, with one hand 
holding to the crupper of the saddle and one clinging to the 
person in front of them by means of a scarf attached to the 
waist of the rider, or sometimes when the pillion is occupied 
by a lady the children are placed in front of the gentleman. 
Most ladies traveled on horseback, and ladies made long 
journeys in this way, riding alone or with a friend or servant 
who was himself on horseback and usually well armed, for the 
roads were not always safe. 

In front of the tavern there stood great carts filled with 
spinning-wheels for country trade, wagons filled with com- 
mon household furniture, and all things necessary for a new 
settlement, peddler's carts of every description, and stock 
drovers, for that old house once swarmed with guests, but its 
day is done, and its old " green, spindle-backed arm chairs " 
have become things of the past. The old tavern well on the 
opposite side of the Charlton road still remains.* 

Formerly there were more public-houses in the country 
villages than at the present time. Travelers then had their 

* A few years since the daughter of Samuel Campbell (the innkeeper) 
revisited Oxford, having been absent over forty years. She said when 
upon the street she drank water from this old well; that it was all that 
would recall Oxford to lier memory as existing in her childhood, so 
great had been the change upon the village street, and this well bad 
supplied the village school. 



2 72 The Records of Oxford. 

town private carriages of some description, and sought the hos- 
tality of the village tavern. There would be seen at its open door 
at noon or at evening a blue or red painted coach belonging to 
some family of wealth, low hung and broad wheeled, with its 
colored coachman, or a stout, large, square-top chaise containing 
some stylish gentleman, and maybe accompanied by a lady 
journeying to some distant part of the country. The chaise in 
these days was called a " hahnsura kerridg." 

The last square-top chaise that was seen in Oxford belonged 
to Charles Sigourney, Esq., of Hartford, Ct., who visited the 
place with Mrs. Sigourney many years since. The hai*ness was 
silver mounted and attracted, it was said by the villagers, more 
attention than the distinguished guests. 

Have you heard of the wonderful one boss shay ? 

We are told they were made of " the strongest oak that could 
not be split nor bent nor broke." 

*' For the wheels were just as strong as the thills, 
And the floor was just as strong as the sills, 
And the panels just as strong as the floor, 
And the Whipple tree neither less nor more. 
And the back cross bar as strong as the fore, 
And the spring and axle and hub encore." 

Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. 

Before the Revolution there were vehicles used in Boston at 
an early date resembling " English road carts," which made so 
much racket by rattling and pounding through the streets they 
were called " homespun thunder carriages."* 

* In Oxford in olden time there were very few of these vehicles. On 
Sunday, or some special occasion, Edward Davis, Esq., appeared in a 
" one hoss shay " and also his townsmen, Josiah Wolcott, Esq., and James 
Butler, all attracting much observation. There was a prejudice against 
them as tliey repi-esented certain caste distinction of long ago. It is 
said that a worthy man in Worcester took an elderly friend of his to 
church in his chaise. He had just arrived at the church door when a 
prominent citizen of the upper class of that period thus accosted him, 



Taverns and Post-offices. 273 

Prior to the Eevolution is styled ancient time, and very 
few if any, private coaches were uged in tliis country. All 
travel was contined to horseback riding, and the equipments 
were styled the furniture of the horse. When Gen. Washing- 
ton received his family coach from London it was spoken of as 
an item of interest throughout the country. Coaches were not 
common at this early date. 

It M-as not uncommon for travelers in these day to take 
their own provisions with them, and to request the hostess of 
an inn to furnish them in the waiting-room with cooking uten- 
sils to prepare their luxuries for the table. The tea and 
coffee, with pickled or spiced meats, old fashioned, nice bread, 
w^ould soon be served and with rich pies, cakes and preserves, 
gave to all an appearance of comfort. The landlord was com- 
pensated for this trouble in the settlement of the bill or for 
any extras furnished to his guests. 

The horses of travelers were stabled, the private coachman 
and the driver of a freight team ordered and superintended all 
for the comfort of their tired animals, many times furnishing 
their own grain. At this time most inland freight was carried 
by horses, and then there was excitement at the village inns 
when the stage coach carrying the mails and passengers would 

■with a veliemence of protest that made his shirt ruffles quiver: " Fine 

times we are coming to, fine times, Mr. E , when mechanics ride 

to meeting in chaises." 

But in the jDresent time mechanics and artisans enjoy all there is of 
the luxuries of life, and through their skill and energy we all share them 
and to them Worcester owes her unrivalled success in population and 
wealth. 

Very soon these gentlemen with their " pleasure carriages, " as they were 
termed, were followed by General Learned and Joseph Hudson, There 
are those of Mr. Hudson's descendants that can at the present time recall 
in their early childhood seeing Madam Hudson in her " square-top 
chase" riding down Long hill [Federal hill] with her milk white horse 
noted for his fat and sleek condition the country around. 

35 



2/4 The Records of Oxford. 

roll by at regular intervals, then the only vehicle of public 
conveyance, and stage loads stopping to dine. But the rail- 
roads of the present time have diverted all this travel and busi- 
ness into new channels. The stage coaches have left the high 
ways. Sometimes in the depth of winter there would be 
much excitement at the village inn by the arrival of a sleigh- 
ing party for the evening dance and sometimes by travelers 
in sleighs journeying to visit their friends in the new settle- 
ments of Vermont and other parts of northern New Eng- 
land. 

This old South Tavern of Oxford for more than one hundred 
years was the center of all communication with the outside 
world and the life of the neighborhood. 

Here the balls and the junketings of the olden time were held 
in an apartment being lighted with candles which would have 
ordinarily furnished only a dim light if not for the ample chim- 
ney with its cheerful wood fire. 

Here were assembled the young ladies with dresses of ex- 
tremely short waists, and hair dressed a la Grecque, with their 
low stately courtesy. 

And the young gentlemen in silk stockings with shoe and 
knee buckles, their queues laced with ribbons, and with rolling 
coat collars and high shirt collars half covering the face. 
These balls were of frequent occurrence. There was the 
election ball in May. The Thanksgiving ball, the Christmas 
ball, and one on St. John's day, when the tables were in rustic 
bowers, then the Masonic lodge figured largely, and on the 
settlement of a new clergyman an ordination ball would be 
announced. 

The gentlemen will please choose their partners. There was 
bowing and eourtesying and the dancing commenced, minuets, 
reels and jigs went on. 



Taverns and Post-offices. 275 

" But from the parlor of the inn 
A pleasant murmur smote the ear, 
Like water rusliing through a weir: 
Oft interrupted by tlie din 
Of laughter and of loud applause, 
And in each intervening pause, 
The music of a violin. 

'' Before the blazing fire of wood 
Erect the wrapt musician stood ; 
And ever and anon he bent 
His head upon his instrument, 
And seemed to listen, till he caught 
Confessions of its secret thought, 
The joy, the triumph, the lament, 
The exultation and the pain ; 
Then by the magic of his art. 
He soothed the throbbiugs of liis heart, 
And lulled it into peace again." 

— Longfelloio. 

It would appear that a tavern in Oxford occupied the 
site or was the south part of the present residence of the 
late Jasper Brown, Esq., at the junction of one of the ancient 
roads to Charlton, with the Boston road through Marlborough 
and Worcester to Connecticut, which being en 'route one mile 
nearer Worcester, interrupted much of the patronage of quiet 
travelers from Boston to Connecticut. 

" As ancient is this hostelry 
As any in the land may be, 
Built in the old Colonial day, 
When men lived in a grander way, 
With ampler hospitality : 

"A kind of old Hobgoblin Hall, 
Now somewhat fallen to decaj^. 
With weather stains upon the wall, 
And stairways worn, and crazy doors, 
And creaking and uneven floors, 
And chimneys huge, and tiled and tall. 



2/6 The Records of Oxford. 

" Round this old-fashioned, quaint abode, 
Deep silence reigned, save when a gust, 
Went rushing down the country road, 
And skeletons of leaves and dust, 
A moment quickened by its breath, 
Shuddered and danced their dance of death. 
And through the ancient oaks o'er head 
Mysterious voices moaned and fled." — Longfellow. 

The Tlme and Manner of Traveling and Sending Coiimdni- 
cati0n8 from boston to suttojj in 1746 as contrasted with 
THE Same in 1890. 

From Records of Sigourney Family, Anthony Sigourney of 
Boston, was married to Mary Waters of Salem, April 11, 1740. 
Mrs. Sigourney was an invalid from consumption. Her physician 
named change to the country hoping for her recovery. Mrs. Si- 
gourney left Boston for Sutton where resided her brother, 
Richard Waters. She soon became too ill to venture a return 
to Boston. She survived until winter, 1746. Previously to her 
decease a message was despatched to Boston to acquaint Mr. 
Sigourney with the circumstances. No answer was received. 
The roads were impassable from the deep he ivy snows. The 
funeral services were postponed for two weeks or more, until 
it was decided there could be no longer any delay from the 
absence of Mr. Sigourney. During the services he arrived. 
Having been unable to proceed from saddle-horses furnished 
him, he had walked most of the distance from Boston to Sutton, 
by the aid of snow-shoes or rackets. Mrs. Sigourney was buried 
in the burying-ground belonging to the Waters, Goff and 
Putnam families, in Sutton, no head-stone, only stone marks. 

James Davie Butler on leaving Oxford and becoming a resi- 
dent of Rutland, Yt., in the year 1787. 

His tirst journeys to and fro were on horseback with a bag 
of silver on the pommel of the saddle, but he soon accomplished 
his journeys by driving a pair of horses in this new section of 



Taverns and Post-offices. 277 

country as it was then termed. He was a merchant of the 
town for fifty years. 

" Honored Sir — After Due respect to you and your family 
this opportunity presents itself though (unexpectedly) to inform 
you that we are all well & throu the protection of a mersefull 
God we have been so for a year past. 

" I have nothing metearial to write at present we have not 
heard aney inteliageable acount from 
you since we left oxford & I wish you to write a letter 
& leve at Cambels for M'^ Cudworth to fetch to me. 

" That we may know wheather you are all alive or not. We 
remember our love to our honored mother & all the family 
& our friends in general. 

So we Remain 3'our afectionate &c. 

" Jacob Glysson.* 

"Greenbush, December 21, 1805. 

" 4 miles north of the village of Troy. 

" N. B. — We live within 200 yards of the church where we 
can have Dutch and English preaching a very steadey set of 
people to go to meeting and the quer of it is we can have our 
children Baptized for two shillings per head. But I chuse to 
keep that money to pay the school master for they go stedy 
and learn well. They all Kemember their Love to cousins. 

Traveling West in 181T. 
Anthony Butler, son of James Butler of Oxford, Mass., in a 
series of wayside letters to his brother James of Rutland, Vt., 

* Jacob Gleason, son of Dr. James Gleason, of Oxford South Gore, 
born July, 1768, died at Stockton, N. Y., October, 1812, married 
Mahatable, daughter of Joseph Hudson. Their address, " On the 
Grants in New York State. "Mrs. Gleason, born 1770, died at Stockton, 
1871. On leaving Greenbush, K Y., he removed with his family to the 
"Holland Purchase," a part of the Chatauqua county, south-western 
part of New York . 



278 TJie Records of Oxford. 

describes his travels en route from liis landed estate a few miles 
distant from Rutland to Cincinnati. 

The outfit consisted of two large wagons, one single wagon 
and five horses. Mr. Butler with his family leaves his home 
in Vermont Sept. 30, 1817, and arrives at Cincinnati, November 
14, after traveling fifty-six days. Three of his letters were 
mailed at Montgomery, Orange Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, Loudonn, 
Franklin Co., Pa., Oct. 23, and Pittsburgh, Nov. 12. In his 
letter from Loudoun Mr. Butler states: " The reason for pro- 
ceeding so far south is to cross the Alleghany Mountains on a 
turnpike." He adds, " Our horses are in good style." 

In crossing Laurel Ridge, three miles up and four miles 
down, he found no house, and camped on the summit. In his 
own words " built a fire against a log, daughters dismayed, night 
dark and rainy, both dogs on the watch till morning." " De- 
scending the Laurel Ridge, the roads from the heavy rain were 
almost impassable, the loose rock worn by wagon wheels and 
horses' feet 10 or 12 aud perhaps 15 feet. One horse path three 
feet lower than the other — at times the hoi-ses going frantic with 
rao-e. We descended without accident and reached a tavern 
before night. 

" In the vicinity of Pittsburgh, the horses requiring rest, we 
changed our mode of traveling at Pittsburgh to proceed on to 
Cincinnati. I purchased a boat for $60, with a deck, fireplace, 
and other conveniences large enough for to transport ourselves, 
wagons and horses, and was so fortunate as to secure a good 
pilot (a man who had been a ship carpenter and a seaman on 
board a man of war), and we arrived safely at Cincinnati 500 
miles from Pittsburgh." 

Anthony Butler was a Mason, and thus writes: "In the 
neighborhood of Pittsburgh I became acquainted with John 
Grove, the landlord at whose public house we were entertained, 
T showed him the certificate which Captain Lord had handed 
me from the Royal Arch Chapter. lie went into the city and 



Taverns and Post-offices. 279 

on his return told me there were $300 in Pittsburgh at my ac- 
ceptance, and quarters for me and my family in some of their 
best houses, if I would accept the favor, as my traveling ex- 
penses were considered very great. I accepted with thanks 
the kindness of the gentlemen (Masons) of Pittsburgh, but as- 
sured them I had provided for an expensive journey and for 
winter quarters, and would in the spring receive remittances 
from Vermont to purchase a landed estate in the State of Ohio. 

PoST-HoUSES AND PoST-RlDERS. 

' ' Hark ! 'tis the twanging horn ! " 

"He comes, tlie herald of a noisy world, 
With spatter'd boots, strajip'd waist, and frozen locks, 
News from all nations lumbering at his back, 
True to his charge, the close-pack'd load behind. 
Yet careless what be brings, his one concern 
Is to conduct it to the destined inn ; 
And having dropp'd the expected bag pass on." — Cow^nr. 

Reminiscences of the Late Archibald Campbell. 
Oxford became a post-town in 1801. Samuel Campbell 
was the first " post-master " of Oxford. The post-house was 
at the hotel on the corner of the Charlton road and the village 
street (the present site of the brick store). Major Archibald 
Campbell was the second post-master, at his residence on the 
site of tlie present Episcopal church, Main street. William 
Sigourney was Maj. Campbell's deputy of the office. One 
small left-hand drawer in an ancient English desk devoted to 
the purpose, contained all the letters, papers and mail matter 
of the Oxford post-house. Maj. Camj^bell was succeeded by 
William Sigourney. The post-house was then removed to the 
old tannery on the Sutton road near the bridge, occu23ying the 
currying room. The post-office was then removed to a new 
store on Sigourney corner, and Capt, William Sigourney was 
the post-master for many years. 



28o The Records of Oxford. 

" In olden time the post was carried bj a messenger pro- 
vided with a spare horse, a liorn and good portmantles." 

" In 1704, the only post on all this continent was that which 
went east from New York so far as Boston, and west to Phila- 
delphia." 

" The mails were conveyed from one town to another by the 
postman who traveled over the hills and through the valleys on 
horseback, and made known his approach once a week to each 
post-village by the winding of a huge horn, which was always 
carried ready for use." The weekly post-rider, when he 
came by, was sure to tarry at the village inn a sufficient 
time not only to distribute whatever papers and letters (and 
few and far between they were) which he might have to 
leave there, but also to report such rumors as he might have 
collected by the way ; "for post haste" was with him by no 
means a descriptive term. In government dispatches, the 
landlord at the village tavern had the first and surest news in 
days when armed horsemen did the work now performed by 
railroad and telegraph. Eager with impatience everybody 
rushed for the news to the village tavern, and there with a bowl 
of punch or a mug of flip listened to the last report left behind 
by some galloping rider, waiting for a fresh steed to take him 
for a new relay. 

Mr. Campbell states, Major Daniel Mansfield, it is said, was 
the first regular mail carrier from Worcester through Millbury, 
Sutton, Oxford, and Dudley on to Ashford, Ct., about the years 
1810-12. 

Previously to this time letters were sent from Worcester in 
packets to the towns in the vicinity by reliable parties, who were 
requested to forward them to the inn of the town, and there 
they were distributed or left to persons to whom they were 
addressed en route. 

So slow was the news in reaching Oxford of what transpired 
in the outside world, that in 1813, when Washington was burnt, 



Taverns and Post-offices. 281 

some ten days elapsed before the news was received. William 
Eaton, a sheriff, arrived at the hotel and gave the intelligence. 
Mr. Campbell, then a child, listened to the announcement. 

In 1815 the glad tidings of peace between Great Britain and 
the United States were received throughout the country with 
acclamations of joy. Heralds on horseback with government des- 
patches were welcomed by loud peals of bells whenever they 
entered towns or villages. The citizens of Oxford were wit- 
nesses to the scene of the government despatch sent from 
Washington to Boston passing through Dudley and on the old 
Dudley road to Oxford. The horse who bore the rider and 
despatches was covered with foam and blood, and as he reached 
the several towns en route for a relay bringing the news he 
sounded his horn and cried with a loud voice " Peace — Peace 
— Peace !" 

Tidings of this treaty reached the United States little more 
than a month after the battle of New Orleans.* 

Abner Cooper was one of the early post-riders between 
Worcester and Oxford. 

" When Cooper the post-carrier weekly arrived in Oxford 
on horseback with saddle bags containing the weekly papers 
& (letters) from Worcester, on reaching Towne's pond, a little 
passed the residence of Dr. Daniel Fiske nearly opposite an 
oak tree near the potash mound he would sound his horn that 
people of the north vilage might arrive at the inn and receive 
the news." 

Mr. Cooper's card in the Worcester Spy : 

"Abner Cooper informs his friends that April next his 
quarter ends." 

An elderly lady being inquired of respecting posting letters 
in the olden time, replied " We only sent communications to 

*From the Worcester 5p?/, Wednesday, February 15, 1815: 
" When the news of peace reached this town Monday last, it was re- 
ceived by all with the utmost transports of joy, " 
36 



282 TJie Records of Oxford. 

our friends, or letters of business by reliable persons who were 
travelling to that section of country where they resided, and 
of course waited a long time for letters in return." * 

h\ these days stage coaches were used, but a greater speed 
was reached by those who traveled " post," as it was called ; 
that is, by relays of horses that were frequently changed . 

The President's message was conveyed in this manner, ex- 
press riders affording great interest to the inhabitants of the 
several towns through which it passed. 

Among the last of these village excitements in Oxford. The 
bearer of the " President's message " had failed of his relay at 
his last stopping place (Dudley), and proceeding on the old 
Dudley road before reaching Oxford, his horse, already 
over driven, was becoming exhausted. When a mile from 
the village hotel, near the residence of the late Peter Shum- 
way, he observed a farmerf leading with a bridle a very able 
nice horse crossing the road, intently observing the move- 
ments of the express sans ccrhnonie. The rider came along- 
side, and leaped upon the farmer's horse and was with his spurs 
soon out of sight with his fresh relay. As soon as the farmer 
recovered from his consternation he pursued and found his 
own horse safe at the hotel with a sufficient remuneration. 

It is said the arrival and departure of the Boston mail coach 
in Oxford was the event of the day more than one half century 
ago. The driver always wound his horn on the Boston road 
just after passing the bridge east of the street. 

The coach was known to be approaching about sunset by the 
bugle horn in the distance. As heralds of the approaching 
coach a group of children would be seen about sunset on the vil- 
lage street or a deep lawn, all at once exclaiming, " There comes 
the Boston coach ! Don't you see it on the Sutton road ? " as the 
four horses and the great lumbering vehicle are outlined against 



* Late Mrs. Francis Sibley of Oxford, aged 93 years iu 1884. 
fLate Jonas Learned. 



Taverns and Post-offices. 283 

the green hedge that borders the old Boston post-a-oad on either 
side of the liighwaj. 

The coach soon ascends " Sigourney hill," as the rising of the 
gronnd after crossing the little bridge whs called in those days. 
And the panting horses with distended nostrils rush forward 
at full speed, the driver sounds his horn for to give notice of 
his expected arrival at the post-office and the village inn to have 
all in readiness, and cracks his whip, tightens his grasp on the 
reins, and with loud clattering of hoofs and rumbling of wheels, 
the heavily-laden coach with its passengers passes Sigourney 
corner, burying the brick mansion house beneath a dusty cloud. 
The country people gathered at the tavern to see the cum- 
bersome vehicle as it came swinging around at the entrance of 
the Sutton road with the horses galloping in coach horse 
fashion. After a short stop for passengers, mail, or may be 
for a little refreshment "from mine host," the horn tooted 
loudly, and away the heavy old-fashioned yellow stage coach 
jolted and swung along the level street, with the driver so 
friendly to all persons he passed. 

Though the arrival of the coach from Boston was an occur- 
rence three times during the week, returning on the alternate 
days, the excitement attending its arrival never lost its charm 
for old or young. 

Many years have now passed away since the mail coaches 
were to be seen in the village streets. They were drawn by 
four horses. Sometimes a change was made en route of coaches 
and coachmen, as well as of horses. 

The coachmen were usually men of very obliging dispositions. 
They would go out of their way to bear a message to some 
shop or dressmaker for to please their lady patrons or leave a 
newspaper. They did much of the business that is now done 
by the express companies. 

One lady relates that when she was traveling in the moun- 
tains of Vermont the coachman would gather her wild flowers, 



284 TJie Records of Oxford. 

and bronglit her some petted raccoons or " Vermont kittens," as 
he termed them, for her amusement at tlie pubh'c house when 
waiting for a fresh relay. 

The Norwich and Worcester raih-oad is unlaid. The citizens 
of this quaint village may be seen at early evening waiting at 
the post-office for tlie arrival of the Boston mail coach to re- 
ceive their weekly newspapers and letters. Daily papers were 
not to be found in inland country towns. 

Yery few persons in Oxford received a newspaper in those 
days by the post-man. The Boston News-Letter was the paper 
most read in the country before the War of the Kevolution, 
for modern time is said to have commenced with the Revo- 
lution. In this paper, " All valuable Real Estate and Slaves 
were advertised for sale, with the deaths of noted person- 
ages, and Servants, Runaways, or Goods Stole or Lost may have 
the same inserted at a reasonable Rate; from Twelve Pence to 
Five Shillings, and not to exceed : Who may agree with Nich- 
olas Boone for the same at his shop, next door to Major 
Davis's; Apothecary, in Boston, near tlie Old Meetinghouse." 

'' All persons in Town and Country may have said News-Let- 
ter Weekly upon reasonable terms, agreeing with John Camp- 
bell Post Master, (Boston,) for the same." In Revolutionary 
time and afterward the Massachusetts Spy was the newspaper 
most appreciated throughout the country. 

An advertisement in the Boston News-Letter., in August, 
1742 : " A negro woman to be sold by the printer of this 
paper; the yQ.v^ best negro woman in town, — who has had the 
small-pox, and the measles, — is as healthy as a horse, — as brisk 
as a bird, and will work like a beaver." 

" At last tlie flouudering carrier bore 

The village paper to our door." 
'' Welcome to us its week old news." 
" Its corner for the rustic Muse, 

Its monthly gauge of snow and rain, 



Churches. 285 

Its record, mingling in a breath 

The wedding knell and dirge of death, 

Jest, anecdote and love-lorn tale, 

The latest culprit sent to jail: 

Its hue and cry of stolen and lost, 

Its vendue sales and goods at cost, 

Aud traffic calling loud for gain." — Whittier. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Churches. 

The first town meeting, July 22, 1713. By warrant from 
John Chandler, Esquire, one of her Majesty's justices of the 
peace for the county of Suffolk, for the choice of town officers. 

It was then voted that three persons should be chosen for 
selectmen for the present year. 
Chose John Town, \ 

" BenoniTwitchel, I Selectmen. 

" Joseph Chamberlain, ) 

" John Town, For Town Clerk, 

" Thomas Huskins, " Constable, 

" Oliver Collier, " Highway Surveyor, 

" Abiel Lamb, " Tything-Man.* 

All of whom were sworn before John Chandler, justice of 
peace. 

*The office of Tything-men was conferred only on those persons who 
were of most respectable character, and such as possessed great dignity 
of manner ; their badge of office was a long black staff. They were ex- 
pected to be constant attendants at church, and to see that all persons 
who were in attendance should be seated before the church service com- 
menced. All traveling and labor were prohibited by law ; and that he 
would also, by virtue of his office " have an eye " upon all absentees 
from church. 

Tything-men were chosen in Oxford for the benefit of the people into 
the present century. 



286 The Records of Oxford. 

In the record of town officers there were tjthing-men, deer- 
reeves, " clerk of the market." It is difficult to conceive of the 
necessity of a clerk of the market in a place where none pur- 
chased and few sold any commodities, and yet these various 
offices were filled for a great many years after the incorpora- 
tion of the town. 

Another officer who was chosen annually for many years, 
but though a State officer, is now discontinued, was a " warden." 
The only explanation of this office '' that coming from England 
the English wished to maintain the same customs here as at 
home." 

Town Meeting, November 19, 1713, Yoted : "That John 
Towne, Samuel Hageburn and Benjamin Chamberlain, should 
be a committee to lay out a Minister's lot and burying- 
place." 

Town Meeting, July 29, 1714, Yoted : " That each lot man 
shall pay his equal proportion of ten shillings a Sabbath, for a 
quarter of a year, to Mr. John James, for his preaching with 
us." 

July 29, 1714, Voted : " to build a meeting house thirty 
feet square, and to set the house on the west side of the high- 
way, near Twitchell's field. 

At a Great and Gen. Court of Assembly for y' province of 
y' Massachusetts bay in New England begun and held at bos- 
ton on y' 28 day of may 1718. 

On the petition of John Towne select man of the Town of 
Oxford in behalf of y' said town In the hous of Representativ^es 
June the IStli 1718 Red and ordered that y' select men or 
assessors, of y' Town of Oxford be Impowered to Levy a 
tax upon y' lands of y' non Resident proprietors In the 
said Town after the Rates of twenty Shillings p annum on 
Each Thousand acres during the whole term of five years 
next after this present Session That so the Inhabitants may 
be Enabled to build a meeting house and settle a minister 



Chiu'chcs. 287 

among Them and the money so arising shall be applied accord- 
ingly and no otherwise. 

In Council Read and concm'red Consented to 

Sam. U. Shute 
a True Copy as of Record 

Examined p 

J. WiLLAED 

Seci'y. 

Rage 18 of Record. 

From the Oxford Records, March 2, 1719. Voted that if the 
Rev. Jolm McKinstry dos continue preaching the Gospil and 
settle with us yt he shall he an Equal Proprietor with the rest 
of the inhabitants of Oxford vilkixe. 

May 27, 1719. Yoted to give to Mr. McKinstry sixty pounds 
sallery and fifty pounds in building and fencing and breaking 
up ground and labor and 100 acres of land. 

Mr. McKinstry, however, did not comply with the invita- 
tions, tradition states, to the great disappointment of the peo- 
ple. 

Rev. John McKinstry, a native of Scotland, joined a com- 
pany of Scotch emigrants from the north of Ireland and ar- 
rived in Boston in the summer of 1718. 

Mr. McKinstry is said to have been a gentleman of a supe- 
rior education, and of great natural endowments, with refined 
manners and of a genial temperament of character. He became 
the clergyman of the church in Sutton and subsequently of 
East Windsor, Ct. 

He had graduated at Edinburgh University and received a 
diploma. 

A Translation. 
" Be it known to all whom it may concern, that we the Pro- 
fessors of the University of Edinboro' of King James, testify 
that this youth John ]\IcKinstry, of Ireland, after having com- 



288 The Records of Oxford. 

pleted tlie study of philosophy and human literature with the 
integrity and modesty of manners which is becoming an in- 
genious youth, has graduated with us, and is entitled to all the 
privileges which the course of discipline and the custom of this 
Academy, is accustomed to confer. And now with the con- 
sent of the Faculty and teachers of this college he is declared 
a Master in the liberal Arts, and entitled to all the privileges 
which are wont to be conceded to the Masters of the Good 
Arts, of which fact, that there may be greater faith, we the 
distinguished governors. Teachers and Patrons of Wie Univer- 
sity of Edinburgh have placed our signatures this -ith Calends 
of March, 1712." 
Datum Edinburgi. 

JOH. GOODALL, L. S. P. 
RoBERTDS Henderson, 

B. & Acad. ab. Archivi. 
GuLiEL Hamilton, N. S. P. 
GuLiELMUs Law, P. P. 
GuLiELMUs Scot, P. P. 

ROBERTUS StOUAOL, P, P. 

Col. Drumond, P, P. 
Ja. Gregory, Math. P. 

May 1720, att a town meeting. " They voted that Mr. John 
Campbell, should be treated with in order to settlement." 
"Then voted Mr. Israel Town, who resided on the Dr. Eisk 
farm, opposite Towne's pond, should entertain the minister." 

Rev. John Campbell, the first clergyman of the church in 
Oxford, was from Scotland, having graduated at Edinburgh 
University. At a Town meeting in May, 1720, Mr. John 
Campbell's arrival in Oxford is first mentioned. At the above 
date Ebenezer Learned is authorized by a vote of the town to 
make an engagement with Rev. John Campbell, for to remain 
with them as their clergyman for one or two months. 



Churches. 289 

July 15, 1720, a committee of five, of which John Town was 
chairman, was chosen and instructed to make definite proposals 
to Mr. Campbell in reference to his settlement. The committee 
presented the following report : 

In the name of the inhabitants of the town : 

1st. We called the Rev. John Campbell to be our minister. 

2d. "We promised to the said Mr. Campbell £60 salary. 

3d. That the Rev. Mr. Campbell himself, his heirs, and as- 
signs have freely given them the lot already laid out for the 
first minister of Oxford, with the rights thereunto belonging, 
and one hundred acres joining the above, if it can be had ; if not 
when it can be conveniently had. 

4th. That we will give the said Mr. Campbell one hundred 
pounds settlement in work, as reasonable as others have work 
for the money in Oxford ; twenty-five pounds of it to be paid 
quarterly as shall be directed by Mr. Campbell, provided he 
shall be willing to live and die with us in the work of the 
ministry. 

Rev. Mr. Campbell's Answer to the Selectmen of 

Oxford. 
Gentlemen, I have had your call and proposals before me 
and upon mature deliberation I accept of your call and pro- 
posals to me as propounded and hereby promise to be willing 
to continue with you in the work of the ministry as the Lord 
shall enable me, provided you continue a ministerial people. 
Oxford, Angust I'ith, 1720. 

JOHN CAMPBELL. 

In September, 1720, Lieut. John Towm, Abiel Lamb, Samuel 
Barton and Joseph Wiley, gentlemen, united in their influence 
to establish a Church of Christ in Oxford, making an appoint- 
ment to meet on Thursday, October 27, at four of the o'clock 
post meridian, at the house of Israel Town. 
37 



290 The Records of Oxford, 

In 1Y20 the town authorities of Oxford applied to the asso- 
ciation of ministers for their advice respecting Rev. John 
Campbell as a clergyman. 

The association replied : 

Woodstock, September 7, 1Y20. 
" We the subscribers, having had acquaintance with the Rev. 
Mr. Campbell now of Oxford, do approve of him as a minister 
endowed with ministerial accomplishments. We hope and be- 
lieve that, by the blessing of Heaven, he will serve to the glory 
of God and the spiritual edification of souls, in the place 
where Divine Providence shall fix him in the gospel ministry. 
(Signed.) 

JOSIAH DWIGHT. JOSEPH BAXTER. 

JOHN SWIFT. ROBERT BRECK. 

JOHN PRENTICE. JOSEPH DORR. 

" To the select men of Oxford. 

The church" was organized Jan. 20, 1720, O. S., with the 
following members : 

John Town and wife, Israel Town and wife, 

Benj. Chamberlain and wife, Benony Twitchell and wife, 

Isaac Learned and wife, Joseph Wiley and wife, 

John Corains and wife, Samuel Barton and wife, 

Absolem Skinner, David Town and wife, 

Ebenezer Learned and wife, Nat. Chamberlain and wife, 

Philip Amidown and wife, Thomas Gleason, Jr., and wife, 

Abiel Lamb and wife, Collins Moore and wife. 



* This church adopted no creed at its formation. In the early history 
of our country articles of belief were promulgated by the higher ecclesi- 
astical bodies, and the Cambridge platform served most of the Congre- 
gational churches until near the close of the last century, when, on ac- 
count of a diversity of opinions, articles of faith in the form of a creed 
were then introduced to be assented to by those becoming members of 
the church. 



Churches. 291 

The ordination services of Rev, John Campbell were March 
1, 1721, and vt^ere as follows : 

Introductory prayer, by Rev, Joseph Dorr, of Mendon. 

Sermon, by Rev. John Prentice, Lancaster, Ephs, vi, 18-19. 

Prayer before the Charge, by Rev, Josiah Dwight, of 
Woodstock. 

Charge, by Rev. Joseph Baxter, of Medfield. 

Prayer after Charge, by Rev. Joseph Breck, Malborough. 

Right Hand of Fellowsliip, by Rev. John Swift of Fram- 
ingham. 

Benediction, by Rev. John Campbell. 

The first church in Oxford was located on the north-west 
corner of the south common, the old Charlton road separating 
it from the burying-ground. It fronted on the south toward the 
common. It was thirty feet square ; had double or folding doors 
in front ; the pulpit was on the north side of the house op- 
posite the doors which opened into the aisle of the church ; 
the gallery extended on the east and west sides. The seats in 
the area of the church were of rude construction, with backs, 
those upon the east side for ladies, and those upon the west 
side for gentlemen ; this was a Puritan fashion of New Eng- 
land. 

January, 1722-3, " Yoted in ye affirmative that Capt. Rich- 
ard Moore may build and have set up a pew on ye west side 
of ye pulpit of about six foot square for the benefit of himself 
and his family." * * * 

Feby 11 1722-3, At a town meeting legally warned voted to 
grant a pew to be made for Mr. Campbell and dispose of other 
places for pews First voted in the aflirmative yt Mr. Campbell 
may build and set up a pew of y' East side of y pulpit from y 
pnlpit to y middle or senter of ye post under y gallery beam 
extending to y' corner of y' deacons seat to be done at y charge 
of y town. 



292 The Records of Oxford. 

March 29, 1724, At the town meet in "^ it was voted that 
Eng'^ Ebenezer Learned should have a Room in the East cor- 
ner of tlie meeting-house joyning to Mr. Campbell's pew for 
a pew for him and his family in the meeting house and he is 
to finish it in the year. 

March -i 1734, Voted yt Capt Ebenezer Learned shall have 
ye pew on the Easterly part of y meeting house behind ye wo- 
man's seats for Toon (ten) pound paying his equal propor- 
tions towards finishing said meeting house sd pew adjoyning 
to the duble doors. 

Marcii 4 1734, Voted that Mr, Samuel Davis shall have ye 
pew on the Westerly sid of ye meeting house adjoyning to the 
duble doors he paying toon pound and his equal proportion 
towards finishing sd meeting house. 

May 16, 1726, At a legal town meeting, Capt. Ebenezer 
Learned was chosen to go to ye General Court, at a petition 
Requesting that the lauds of ye non-resident proprietors, may 
be taxed, to inable us to support ye Gospel ministry amongs us. 

Oxford, September 4th 1732, " Then Received in full for 
my sallery from the beginning of my Settlement at Oxford, in 
y' work of ye Gospels, there to the first of May, one thousand 
seven hundred and twenty-seven in conformity, to a vote passed 
by the said Town of Oxford," March 6, 1726-7, per me. John 
Campbell. 

The duty of the sexton in olden time was not only to take 
charge of the church, keep it swept, have the key in his posses- 
sion, but to take care of the cushion for the desk. 

August 29, 1728, Voted " to take so much of the Interest 
money belonging to y' town to procure a cushion for the pulpit. 
Capt. Earned, to be intrusted with the commission." 

March 4, 1734. Voted yt Capt. Richard Moore, shall have 
Liberty to inlarge his pew at his own charge and bearing y cost 
of turning y pulpit stair-case if Mr. Campbell be wilhng, and 
make a door for y deacons seat. 



Churches. 293 

March 4, 1734, Yoted Lieut. Isaac Learned, shall have y 
pew at the North East corner of the meeting-house, joyning to 
Mr. Campbells pew, paying four pound and bearing his pro- 
portion towards finishing said meeting-house. 

August 25, 1743, the town voted to build a new meeting- 
house, which was erected 1747. 

July 13, 1748, Voted that the Town shall Build Two Pews 
one on Each Side the Broad Alley, one behind the men's seats 
and the other behind the women's seats to accommodate the 
Gentlemen that have had their Land Taxed towards Building 
of our New meeting-house, when any of them shall come to 
our meeting. 

Yoted that there shall be two pews more built to take up 
the rest of the room behind the seats to the alleys at each end 
of the seats to be disposed of by the town. In front of the 
pulpit were four long narrow pews, two for the deacons, the 
others for aged persons. The gallery extended round three 
sides of the church, leaving the high pulpit on the north side ; 
seats back of the galleries in the corners of the church were 
devoted to slaves or colored servants. 

August 22, 1748, Voted Richard Moore, Jun, Collector to 
gather the tax laid on the non-resident Proprietors lands in 
Oxford, towards building our new meeting-house by an act of 
the General Court. 

May 17, 1750. Voted one hundred and ten ounces of silver 
and other money equivalent, to it for the Rev. Mr, Campbell's 
sallery for this present year. 

Sept. 14, 1752, Voted to choose a committee to Dignify and 
prize the Pews. Mr. David Baldwin, Mr. Duncan Campbell, 
Mr. Benjamin Davis, Committee Men to Dignify and Prize 
the pews. 

The person who paid the highest tax had the first choice, and 
so in succession. In many places other than money considera- 
tions had influence in "dignifying" the pews. 



294 The Records of Oxford. 

Sept. 14, 1752 (N. S.), Voted to accept the report of the 
committee that was chosen to Dignify and prize the Pews. 

Kov. 17, 1752, Voted that the pew next to the Pulpit on the 
East side shall be the minister's pew. Then those that were 
the highest in the Rates for their Real Estate towards building 
our meeting-house in Oxford proceeded to draw their pews, and 
Col. Ebenezer Learned being highest in said Rates, chose No. 
3 price £52 16s. 

It is believed that the term " dignify," as here used, was to 
give the preference in the selection of pews to those persons 
most distinguished in public affairs, and for their liberality in 
furnishing the means for the erection of the church and the 
support of public worship. 

The " pew spots," as they were called, that is, places where 
pews might be, were thus disposed of as the society had digni- 
fied them. In the Town Warrant, Oct. 4, 1748 — To see how 
the town will dispose of the Pew Spots in the said meeting- 
house. In these old-fashioned churches the people were not 
allowed to make their selection of seats. A committee was 
chosen to assign seats to the worshippers " according to estate 
and age annually." This arrangement of seats was termed 
" seating the meeting-house." 

March 20, 1764, Voted and chose Edward Davis, Esquire, 
(Capt.) Ebenezer Learned and Mr. Josiah Wolcott, committee 
to treat with the Rev*^. Joseph Bowman concerning his settling 
with us and to lay the votes and grants of the church and Town 
before him in view for his consideration and to give us his 
answer in due time, and the said committee are impowered to 
make some further proposals to the said Mr, Bowman con- 
cerning his settlement and sallary and report to the town the 
next town meeting. 

24 September 1764, Voted in the Affirmative to Add Sixty 
Six Pounds thirteen Shillings and four Pence to a former Grant 
made to Rev. Mr. Joseph Bowman on the 20'*" Day of March 



Churches. 295 

1764, of One Hundred and Thirty-three Founds Six Shillings 
and Eight pence making in the whole Two Hundred Pounds 
to be Paid, the one-half within One year after his settling with 
us, in case he accepts of our Choice of him to be our Minister 
and settle with us, 

March 20, 1764, voted & chose Edward Davis, Col. Ebenezer 
Learned, Josiah Wolcott, a committee. 

Warrant October 1, 1764. To grant Money to defray the 
cost and charge of the ordinations or installment of the Rev'd 
Mr. Joseph Bowman to the Pastoral Office among us October 
15, 1764.* 

Rev. Joseph Bowman remained the clergyman of this church 
until August, 1782. In 1791, April 17, Rev. EHas Dudley 
ucceeded the Rev. Joseph Bowman. ^ Rev. Mr. Dudley retired 
from being the clergyman March 6, 1799. Dr. Emmons of 
Franklin preached the sermon at the ordination of Rev. Mr. 
Dudley. His residence while a clergyman in Oxford was the 
mansion of the late Dr. David Holman. 

In the present century there may have been connected with 
this church no clergyman more distingnished than Rev. Horatio 
Bard well, D. D-, who was established over the church in 1836 and 
so continued for many years. He died in Oxford May 5, 1866. 
His memory is spoken of " as a precious legacj^ to his church." 
He received his ordination as a clergyman at Newburyport June 
21, 1815, and on the following October 23 he sailed for 
India in the ship Dryad, and on his arrival in India he became 
a resident of Bombay, and remained as an American mission- 
ary in India until 1821, when he returned to this country. 
While in India, Dr. and Mrs. Bardwell received many kind 



* October 15, 1764. Edward Davis, Esq., and Deacon Thomas Davis 
undertook to provide Entertainment for the Council that are to install 
the Rev. Mr. Joseph Bowman to the pastoral office among us without 
making it a public charge to the towu. 



296 The Records of Oxford. 

attentions from the English residents and from the officials of 
government. 

At one period during his home in India he was most honor- 
ably invited to take the place of a rector in the English Episco- 
pal church, which for a limited time he filled with much accept- 
ance to his English friends. Mrs. Bardwell was a lady of a 
superior education, as could be discerned in her conversation, 
and in her extensive correspondence. Her description of her 
Eastern life, as associated with English residents as well as the 
poor natives of the countryj was in her recital as a picture pre- 
sented to the view. And like Mrs. Sherwood of England 
her description was to remain in a life long memory. 

One can easily follow Mrs. Bardwell in her Indian home, 
plainly dressed in white muslin, as ladies in India are obliged 
to dress from the climate, on her veranda, surrounded by a 
group of native children, teaching them their daily Bible lessons. 
On the return of Dr. and Mrs. Bardwell to America they de- 
parted from India with regret and with many kind services 
rendered them from the English governor.* 

Two merchant vessels left India for Boston at the time of 
Dr. and Mrs. Bardwell's passage being engaged. One ship was 
lost at sea, and was so reported, and left much uncertainty as 
regarded the safety of Dr. and Mrs. Bardwell. On their arrival 
in port they hastened to their home in Andover. An escort 

* Dr. Bardwell was married in 1815 to Rachel, daughter of Simon For- 
bush, of Andover. 

Dr. Bardwell in his manners was courteous and affable, and was styled 
a gentleman in English society while abroad, as well as one who was 
distinguished in his judgment and views of the affairs of state govern- 
ment, and with all these endowments he was more distinguished for his 
most devout Christian life, and as a clergyman he was possessed of large 
and liberal views toward all evangelical Christians. 

The Book of Common Prayer used by Dr. Bardwell in India is still 
cherished as a relic by Miss Ellen Paine, once a communicant in his 
church at Oxford, now Mrs. Gilchrist of McGregor, 



Churches. 297 

was at once offered to accompany them to their friends, who 
proceeded in advance, and announced the safe arrival of tlie ship 
and then the safety of Dr. and Mrs. Bardwell and chikl, and 
their immediate arrival that morning to the parents of Mrs. 
Bardwell. 

20 May 1765, Voted that Lient. John Nichols and Mr. Ed- 
ward Raymond, shall each of them have the Liberty for two 
persons to sit in the Pew on the West side of the Broad Alley 
in onr Meeting-House that was granted to the non Resident 
Gentlemen that had their nnimproved lands Taxed towards 
Building our Mceting-House Each of them paying three Pounds 
old tenor pr year as long as they enjoy said privilege and to 
give place to any of Said Gentlemen if they should come to our 
meeting. 

That Mr. Josiah Wolcott shall have liberty to use and im- 
prove the pew on the East side of the broad alley in our meet- 
ing-house tilling the said pew. 

May 10 1767, Then that behind the woraans Seats next to the 
Broad Alley was set up and Lieut. John Nichols bid twelve 
pounds eight shillings lawful money which was the highest 
and it was struck off to him accordingly and he paid two dol- 
lars down. 

To see if the town will grant liberty to Rev. Mr. Hill 
and Mr. Amos Shuraway and Mr. James Butler and Doct. 
Daniel Fisk, to take up the two hind seats in the mens and 
womens body seats and build them four pews for their use and 
their heirs forever or act thereon as the town shall think proper. 

By order of the select men. SAMUEL HARRLS 

OxFOKD May 21 1781. Tovm Clerk. 

July 19, 1781, At a Town Meeting, received the Report of 
the committee chosen for the sale of the j)ev^ ground in the mens 
and womens body seats, and voted to accept said Report which 
is as follows : 
38 



298 The Records of Oxford. 

JSTo. 1, on the woinans side of the broad alley, sold to Mr. 
Anthony Sigoiirny, for 20^ hard dollars. 

No. i, on the men's side of the broad alley, sold to Mr. James 
Butler, for 20 hard dollars. 

Ko. 3, on the womans side, on the east side, sold Mr. John 
Dana, for 17 hard dollars. 

No. 4, on the west side of the men's seats, sold to Mr. Jesse 
Jones for 16^ hard dollars. 

Yoted tliat the money comin,^^ by the sale of the four pews 
as before mentioned be applied for the support of the soldiers 
families and the poor of the town. 

In olden time in the churches of New Encrland the sermon 
was made the principal feature of the service. The Scriptures 
were not read in the cluirehes until the early part 'of the last 
century, and not always were prayers offered in tlie churches. 

As early as 1699, however, Rev. Mr. Coleman of Boston 
read the Bible in his church, and he even repeated the Lord's 
prayer, after an introduction of one of his own. " But many 
were strongly prejudiced against his innovations." 

Reading of the Scriptures in the service of New England 
churches on the Sabbath, is comparatively modern. It was con- 
sidered in ancient time as partaking too much of the formality 
of the English church — in many churches not introduced until 
the middle of the last century. 

The Ratio Disciplinae says that in 1726, that " the practice 
of reading the sacred volume was observed in many churches 
without giving offence." The church in Medford, in 1759, 
" voted to read the Bible in the congregation." How early 
reading of the Scriptures in the church in Oxford was adopted, 
there is no record.* 



* With things that have had their day daring these long sermons, in 
some churches, there was an hour-glass standing on tlie desk to guide 
the clergyman, and which would claim the attention of his hearers for one 



ChiircJies. 299 

It does not appear from any record in Oxford wlien the in- 
troduction of instrumental music became a part of the chnrch 
service, or the change in tlie mode of singing caused any 
disquietude in the church, even when the pitcli-pipe was 
sounded. 

Before the close of the last century the New England ver- 
sion of Psalms and Hymns was the only sacred poetry that 
was allowed admittance into most of the churches. These 
were read, line by line, by one of the deacons, when another 
set the tune, in which the whole congregation were expected 
to unite. 

In England there was annexed to the Book of Common 
Prayer the version of Sternhold and Hopkins. The first metri- 
cal version of the Psalms in English appeared in 1549. 

"Thomas Sternhold a court poet, translated 51 Psalms." 

John Hopkins a clergyman, 58. 

The other contributors were, principally, William Whyting- 
ham. Dean of Durham, and Thomas Korton, a barrister. 

This version, enlarged, was annexed to the Book of Common 
Prayer, and was in general nse until 169G.* 



hour. In front of some pulpits was a socket for the hour-glass. An 
hour-glass was also in the library of the minister, to guide him in pre- 
paring his sermons. One of the duties of the sexton was to keep and 
turn the glass. 

* The New England version, or better known as the Bay Psalm Book, 
was made in 1640, and was the work of Revs. Thomas Weld, John Eliot 
and Richard Mather, and continued in use for more than 100 years, and 
was succeeded by the collection of hymns by Dr. Watts, nearly at the 
close of the last century. 

Tate and Brady's collection followed Sternhold and Hopkins' version, 
and was generally used in the Episcopal church in America and other 
churches in this country. 

The church in Oxford made use of this collection. 

There are still copies to be found which were used in church service 
in Oxford. 



30-^ The Records of Oxford. 

" Some of the clcr^Yincn rittemptcd a reform in sin£:iu<>- — 
and tlie notes, fa, sol, la, were by some considered blaspliemoiis." 
"The new way of singing will make the young people disor- 
derly, and if they go to singing school they will be having 
frolics." 

In the Oxford church those who could sing sat in the "sing- 
ers' seats." The leader, Mr. Ludden, gave out the tune and the 
pitch, the singers sounded their parts, bass, tenor, alto and 
treble, fa-la-sol-fa " singing a fugning tune, one part following 
another, till all seem to be lost in a labyrinth of melody, but 
coming out right at last." 

In 1T80, many persons objected to new tunes being sung in 
the churches and were offended at the innovation and absented 
themselves from church service. At what time a chance was 
made from singing by the congregation to a choir in Oxford 
does not appear, but previously some one had been chosen to 
line the hymn when it was sung.* 

Before the Revolution the hymns were ''lined," the clerk 
of the church standing in front of the pulpit reading a line and 
the congregation singing it, and then reading another, and so 
on through the hvmn. 



* At a meeting in the north parish of Sutton, Feb. 4, 1768, "It was 
proposed that, if it would not be grievous to any of the Bretlireu, a 
Hymn out of Dr. Watts' sliould be sung at the communion, and if it 
would be grievous to any they were desired to speak." 

"After three or four hymus being read that were pertinent for that 
purpose no objections appeared, but several spoke agreeable." — From 
an old town record in the nortli parish of Sutton. 

In 1743 Rev. John Campbell, of Oxford, wrote, "Using Hymns, so 
as almost to have superseded tiie Psalms of David and other spiritual 
Songs. This is a manifest "Violation and reproach of the Wisdom and 
Law of God. . . . I am far from thinking that the good Gentleman 
[Dr. Watts] whose hymns are mostly used by our giddy Zealots ever 
intended that composure of his should ever supersede tlie Psalms of 
David." — CamijlelVs I'reaiiae. 



Churches. 301 

And then on Sunday, standing in the singers' seats, with a 
bass-viol to keep them making music that thrilled and delighted 
tlie congregation. There was great opposition to viols and 
violins in the churches. As the years passed not only the 
viols and violins, but flutes, bugles, horns, clarinets, bassoons and 
trombones were used as a part of sacred music.'^ 

Funeral Service. 

In 1730, a Boston newspaper, in speaking of a funeral, 
says, " Before carrying out the corpse, a funeral prayer was 
made by one of the pastors of the old church, which, though a 
custom in the country towns, is a singular instance in this place, 
but it is wished may prove a leading example to the general 
practice of so decent and Christian example. 

During the first half of the last century there was often 
great parade made at funerals, particularly by those of the rich. 
Gloves, gold rings, hat-bands and mourning scarfs were fre- 
quently presented to those gentlemen in attendance. Near 
friends acted as bearers, carrying the body on a bier on the 
shoulders, there being relays as occasion required in the pro- 
cession (in some places males and females did not walk toa'ether, 
but those of the sex of the deceased walked nearest to the re- 
mains). Officers with staffs and mourning badges accompanied 
the procession. 

This custom has until very recently been continued in some 
of the country towns in this county. The town of Sutton 

* To the time of Lutlier the psalms of the Bible were mostly used by 
Christians in devotional service. Among the earliest was, "Lord, thou 
hast been our dwelling place in all generations," written by Moses. 

Clement of Alexandria was an ancient writer of hymns. In the 
eleventh century, Bernard de Morals, monk of Cluni, made great addi- 
tions to sacred jjoetry. A translation from his works is a hymn, than 
which no more beautiful has been written, "Jerusalem the Golden." 

Then followed the sweet hymns of Thomas a Kempis, Luther and 
Clement Marot. 



302 TJie Records of Oxford. 

may be named as one of the last of those towns retaining this 
tribute of respect. 

Oxford Town Records, April 4, 1796. In Town meeting 
voted that the selectmen provide a wheeled carriage to convey 
the dead to burial. Previous to this date all funeral processions, 
whether on foot or on horseback, the dead were conveyed on a 
bier with relays if tlie distance required. 

Mrs. Eunice (Turner) Eastman's funeral was one of the last 
in Oxford where the mourners were on horseback, two horses 
abreast. The funeral service was at the old church on the north 
common, and a daughter of James Butler was buried in the 
same manner. The gentleman to whom she was engaged to be 
married preceded the parents on horseback unaccompanied. 
Rings were presented to the near friends of the deceased in 
memory of the departed. 

A lady described the funeral of Mrs. Eunice (Turner) East- 
man, as the procession wound its way among the tall elms over 
the north common to the church. It was a cold, gloomy day 
in December; heavy clouds hung low down in the sky ; the air 
filled with snow. Though the lady were a child sitting at her 
nursery window, in a deep wide gable of an ancient house, she 
received her first impressions of death from viewing the sable 
procession on that mournful day and tiie measured tread of the 
horses' hoofs, for there were no carriages following the coffin 
on the bier, borne by bearers. All the mourners were on horse- 
back two in hie. The church-yard near the south common 
then a common stone wall enclosed its ground — iif ty years ago 
it was choked with briars and fat weeds. 

One has to look very carefully to discover those old graves. 
Their dust should be respected. Sometimes the only inscriptions 
are the initial letters and the year rudely carved. Then there 
was the poor corner where were the graves of the friendless. 

In many old cemeteries before the year 1700, the head-stones 
seldom had any name or date. These stones were the common 



Churches. 303 

brownstone. In instances a cliisel had cut tlie initial letters of 
the name of the one entombed. 

In the seventeenth century hour-glasses were used as a device 
on tomb-stones, with this inscription : " As this glass runneth, 
go man's life passeth." 

Upon some ancient head-stones in the burying-gronnd would 
be rudely cut the old man Time, with an hour-glass clutched 
in one hand and a scythe in the other. Angels bloM'ing trum- 
pets •with open books, or a skull and cross-bones, would be seen 
on other head-stones. * 

An old record Dec. 1, 1808, It being Thanksgiving Mr. 
Andrew Sigourney presented the Congregational Chh & So- 
ciety by the hand of KeV Mr. Moulton with a large elegant 
Gilt Bible & Psalm Book to be kept for the use of the desk in 
the north meeting house in Oxford ; on the receiving of which 
the Chh & Society voted their thanks to Mr. Sigourney the 
Donor, f 



* October 24, 1771, It was granted 3 pounds to buy a new Burying 
cloth. — Town Kecords, 

Oxford Town Eecords, May, 14, 1798, At a Town-meeting "Mr. An- 
drew Sigourney, came into the meeting and presented tlie town witli a 
velvet funeral pall, upon receiving his present the town voted him thanks.'' 

flu families of distinguished birth in these days escutcheons were 
placed upon the coffin, and hatchments were himg in the mansion house 
of the deceased. 

"Escutcheons with rings and kid gloves were given to near friends, 
and in some instances suits of mourning, and relatives and servants 
were put in mourning. Tenants and dependents received gloves as well 
as intimate friends with their invitation to the funeral ceremony. Gloves 
were also given to pall-bearers, and sometimes orjihans of a surviving 
parent, deceased, following first after the corpse, were accompanied by a 
waiting maid and a negro servant. Both were put in mourning as usual." 

In an ancient charge of funeral expenses, 11 dozen gloves "for 
funeral" £20-6-11. 

Letchford, writing in 1641, says, " At burials nothing is read, nor any 
funeral sermon made, but all the neighborhood, or a good company of 



304 TIlc Records of Oxford. 

In these days and into the present century it was regarded 
as a breach of etiquette, a downright inhospitality, not to offer 
wine to the guests, particularly when the minister called. 

Even at a funeral the bearers must " take a drink" before they 
removed their coffined neighbor from his own earthly home. 

Marriages in olden time in Oxford were announced by the 
publication of marriage by banns, or a notice of the intended 
marriage was posted on the church door or in some other pub- 
lic place. 

In about 1750, a statute of the twenty-sixth year of George 
II enacted that "the ])anns should be regularly published 
three successive Sundays in the church of the pari&h where for 
the time residing. 

Archbishop Seeker, the primate between 1758 and 1768, 
originated the arrangement of special licenses. 

During Cromwell's protectorate, the "Little Parliament of 
1653, declared that marriage was to be merely a civil contract ; 
forbade the use of the ' Book of Common Prayer,' and inter- 
dicted the clergy from performing any of the otfices of the 
church under severe penalties." 

The parties professed in the presence of a justice of the 
peace their mutual desire to be married. 



them, came together by tolling of the bell, and carry the dead solemnly 
to his grave, and then stand by him while he is buried. The ministers 
are most commonly present. 

" On the return from the grave a liberal entertainment was served 
at which wines and intoxicating liquors, pipes and tobacco were liberally 
provided." The cause of tem})erance has made wonderful progress dur- 
ing the last half century. " Fifty years ago," says a clergyman (Rev, Dr. 
Patton of New Haven, Ct.), "funerals were set at three o'clock in tlie 
afternoon, and the procession did not move until four; the intervening 
time was spent in drinking. A great many persons went to funerals then. 
They went early, and did not leave until the funeral started." 

In 1713, Judge Sewall has this record in his diary: "The four 
churches (in Boston) treated their ministers." 



CJiurclics. 305 

Usually the proclamation was made in the market place by 
the bellman. 

This act contiimed until 1658, when persons were allowed 
to adopt the accustomed rites of religion if they preferred 
them. 

The earliest canonical enactment on the subject of mairia_2"e 
banns in the English church, is said to have been made by the 
Synod of Westminster or London in 1200, which ordered 
that no marriasfc should be contracted witliout banns thrice 
published in the church, unless by tlic special authority of the 
bishop. 

Formerly the betrothal ring was worn as at the present 
time, on the left hand on the finger next to the least. 

It is said that women wore the wedding ring upon the 
left hand, because that hand is a sign of inferiority or sub- 
jection. 

During tlie time of the coinmonwealth the Puritans en- 
deavored to abolish the use of the wedding ring, for the reason 
it was of pagan invention. 

It is now required that a wedding ring should be used at a 
marriaire in the English church. The rubric directs that " the 
man shall give unto the woman a ring. ■''" ^' * And the 
priest taking the ring shall deliver it to the man, to put it upon 
the fourth linger of the woman's left hand. 

During tlie reigns of George I and Grt3orge II, the wed- 
ding ring, although placed upon the usual finger at the time of 
marriage, was sometimes worn on the thumb, in which position 
it is represented in the portrait of Madam Elizabeth Freake, 
still a relic retained by her descendants in the Sigourney family 
of Oxford.* 



* A wedding ring worn upon the thumb dates back to the reign of 
Charles II. 

Anciently a ring was used in betrothals rather than at weddings. 
The man placed a ring on the finger, which is at the present day pre- 

39 



3o6 The Records of Oxford. 

At carlj English weddinfijs money was thrown over the 
lieads of the bride and bridegroom and distributed at the church 
door. The Wardrobe Accounts of Edward II state this fashion 
of the time: "In the tenth year of his reign money to the 
vahie £2 10s. was thrown over the heads of Oliver dc Bor- 
deaux and the Lady Maude Trussel, during the solemnization 
of their nuptials, at the door of the chapel within the park of 
Woodstock, by the King's order." No wedding could be com- 
plete without the marriage benedictions of a priest, hence the 
bridegroom was called a Benedict. 

The giving of gloves at weddings is a very ancient fashion. 
Ben Jouson, in his play of the " Silent Woman," makes Lady 
Haughty say, " We see no ensigns of a weddiug here, no char- 
acter of a bride ale ; where be our skarves and our gloves?" 
Arnold, in his " Chronicle," in 1521, refers to an inquiry to be 
made at the visitation of ordinaries to churclies, namely : 
"Whether the curat refuse to do the solenmysacyon of hiwful 
matrymonye before he have gyfte of money, hoses or gloves. " 
Pepys in his " Diary" under date 5th July, 1GG3, says he was 
at a wedding and had two pairs of gloves like the rest of the 
visitors. It is still the custom to give white gloves to the 
guests at marriages. 

"Bride favors were formerly worn by gentlemen in their 
hats, or on their breasts or arms, for several weeks. They con- 
sisted of a large knot of ribbons of various colors. White ribbons 
were favorites for these adornments. Missonsays, 'When the 
eldest son of M. de Overkercpie marry'd the Duke of Ormond's 
sister, they dispersed a whole inundation of those little favors. 

served for the beuedictions of marriage ; a man who wished to pledge 
his faitli as tlie future husband of a woman. 

In England the ancient marriage ritual recognized the practice of of- 
fering money. Tlius in the Salisbury Missal. "Tlie man be enjoined 
to say: ' Wyth this rynge y the weddc, and thys gold and selvir the 
geve and with all my worldly catel I thee endowe.' " 



Churches. 307 

" Notliin<y else was here to be meet with, from the hat of the 
Kiiic^ down to the lowest servant among the citizens and plain 
gentlemen, which is what thej call the gentry. They sometimes 
give these favors." 

" In 1629 Bay was used for garlands and that ' rosemary is 
almost of as great use as bays as well for civill as physical pur- 
poses for civil as all doe know at weddings to bestow among 
friends.' " See Garden of Flowers, Parkinson. 

"In 1634, we are told that 'bay is fit for halls and stately 
roomes, where if there be a wedding kept, or such like feast, 
he will be sure to take a place more eminent than the rest.' " 

"He is a great companion with the rosemary, which was 
thought in olden time to strengthen the memory and was worn 
at weddings and funerals." 

The " strewing of herbs, rushes, and flowers from the house 
of the bride to the church was an ancient fashion in England. 
At bride ales the houses and chambers were woont to be strawed 
(with roses) these odoriferous and sweet lierbes." 

Tlie fashion of strewing flowers before a bride is still re- 
tained in some parts of England. The children of the village 
scatter wild flowers before the bride as she leaves the church 
after the ceremony. 

The wedding party walked or rode in pairs at rustic wed- 
dings. Four little bridesmaids carried baskets of buttercups 
and wild roses to grace the weddings in days by-gone. 

Bouquets or nosegays and posies, as they were formerly called, 
were common appendages to a wedding in olden time. 

Primroses and violets are mentioned as flowers used in bridal 
nosegays. Some old customs are still continued; the departing 
bride and bridegroom are sonietimes saluted with old shoes and 
slippers, as omens for good luck, and rice is thrown over the bride. 

The fashion of introducing orange blossoms into wedding bou- 
quets and wreaths, though an European fashion, is derived from 
eastern countries, being the emblem of a prosperous marriage. 



3o8 The Rcco7-ds of Oxford. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Schools and Libkaries. 

Before the incorporation of Worcester county in 1731, the 
colonial laws i-cquircd the towns to have free schools for the 
education of all the clnldren. The public school system of the 
colony was fully established. It was enacted that the " General 
Court of Sessions of the Peace," in each county, should have 
jurisdiction in regard to schools so far as to hear complaints 
from the towns which neglected to provide the means of educa- 
tion for all the children according to the requirements of the 
la\v. The court exerted its authority in every case, and the 
towns thus negligent were rcqnired to supply school-houses and 
furnish teachers for their children on pain of fine and costs. 
In these scliool-days of only two months during the year many 
of the scholars were obliged to pass through deep woods by fol- 
lowing ditlicult foot-trails in the summer, or in winter this 
course was over a hard-beaten path in the snow. The schools 
were in very desolate places in the midst of an unbroken forest. 

Schools in Oxfokd. 

There is a record of a vote upon the town books in 1733, 1)y 
which the selectmen were instructed to " procure a school- 
master." In 173G, the town voted to build a school-house 
14x20 ft. with a chimney' at each end. 

1740 May y" 28, Then hired by th.e Select men of this town 
Mr, Richard Rogers, to teach school the fifth day of June, 
from thence to teach at such places as the Select men shall 
order, the said school-master is to be paid out of the Town's 
Treasury sixty pounds in " Bils" of Public Credit of the old 
tenor or the equivalent. 



Schools and Libraries. 309 

Mr. Rogers being hired to keep the school at £60 per year 
$200, and he kept the school for twenty-two years in succession. 

Oxford, May the 8, 1747. 
Then Reconed with the Select men of Oxford and Received 
Sixty pounds in full for keeping a school in said Oxford from 
the Begining of the world to this day I say Received for 

me. 

Richard Rogers.* 



*'' May 17, 1750, Voted that tlie school be kept in four places in the 
town two at the North Eud and two at the South End a quarter of a 
year at a place." 

1766, Voted that there be liberty granted to set up a school-house in 
the south part of the town and liberty granted to set up a school-house 
in the north part of the town. 

It is said Mr, Rogers was a gentleman of superior education, "the 
best teacher of his time," being an excellent scholar in Latin and 
excelled every one in his time in penmanship. Tradition states lie had 
no superior in his profession. Oxford was quite at the head of educa- 
tion. He gave instruction to the sons of Rev. John Campbell in Latin 
either at the school he taught (as was allowed by paying additional 
school fee to the " Master") or as a private tutor. 

The Latin book which belonged to his pupils (Mr. Campbell's sons) is 
in good preservation, as also specimens of Mr. Rogers' elegant penman- 
ship. 

If Latin were taught in a school it was called a grammar school. 

Mr. Rogers in 1733 was a schoolmaster in Worcester and taught a 
school for several years. In 1740 he came to Oxford and was engaged 
as a teacher until his enlistment in the French War, 1760. In deeds he 
was styled "scrivener." He died in 1761. 

He married Martha, a daughter of Jeremiah Euckman, of Sutton; 
his widov/ married in Ajiril, 1761, Jonathan Towne, of Oxford, and in 
a third marriage, December, 177o, Isaac Dodge, of Sutton. Mr. David 
Dodge, a great grandson of Isaac Dodge, stated that when lie accom- 
panied his aunt. Miss Prudence Dodge (who died in Sutton in 1802, at 
a very advanced age), to Oxford, or passed through the town, that when 
they were opposite the old common in front of the church-yard, Miss 
Prudence would call his attention by telling him "here was the house 



3 lo The Records of Oxford. 

In 1740 it was voted tliat twenty families on Prospect Hill 
might build a scliool-lioiise and draw their proportion of money 
for a school. 

That those living between "Prospect" and "ye brook that 
runs between Mr. Campbell's and Joseph Rockets might do the 
same (and also those south of the said brook)." 

In 1760 it appears by record that there were two school- 
houses at the south part of the town. There Avas one on the 
plain fronting north on the South Common. In 1767 there 
was a second school-house built upon the plain east of the house 
of Jonathan Fuller on the Six-rod road to Sutton. He had 
bought the north-west side of Sigourney corner including the 
old house that was afterward the home of Andrew Sigourney 
until he built the brick house in 1817 on the south-west corner 
of the Six- rod road with Main street. 

In 1767 a school-house was built on the north part of the 
town in the lane eastward of the Eight-rod way from Jonas 
Pratt's, near Towne's pond. Pratt had made a settlement on 
the west side of the Eight-rod way on Towne's plain. This 
school-house was removed to the Wolcott estate and not used 
for a school.f 

In 1775 Joseph Hudson, Jeremiah Shu m way and others on 
the hill known as Long or Federal Hill, north-east part of the 
town, were set off to have a school by themselves. 

In 1782 Ebenezer Davis and others in the east part of the 
town were set oflE in like manner. 



of your grandmother Rogers Dodge." Mr. David Dodge said it was very- 
near tlie Wolcott mansion house, he thouglit, some part of the house. 

In 1751 a house was built for Mr. Rogers, sixteen by eighteen feet, 
"inside convenient room for a chimney," at a cost of £13 6s 8d, which 
he occupied until bis decease. This house joined the Wolcott house on 
the north-east corner. 

tWhen the school-house east of Jonas Pratt's estate was removed 
another school-house was erected not far from its site, known as James 
Butler's (North Centre, No. 6 ward). 



Schools and Libraries. 311 

In 1775 these divisions which were called " squadrons" were 
called " wards." 

In 1803 or in 1804 a school -house was built on the plain on 
the Charlton road next the Ked Tavern and near Mrs. L. 
Corbin's residence. The one east of Fuller's house on Sutton 
road was no longer used for a school. 

A school record of Oxford from 1780-1787. James Butler 
stated " he learned grammar from one Shumway, while the 
other children (his brothers and sisters) were the scholars of a 
Dr. Walker, who, for fear of betraying his own ignorance, 
would never let them parse." 

The first " Dame School " in Oxford of which there is any tra- 
dition was taught by Miss Betty Jermer (Elizabeth Shumway). 

Miss Betty's home was about one mile easterly of the old 
north common ; here there was no open road, only a bridle-path 
passed the house, with gate-ways or bar pkces for an occasional 
traveler on horseback to pass through ; whenever the sound of 
a horse's hoof was heard Miss Betty and her pupils presented 
themselves at the door and passed their salutations. There 
was a heavy stone chimney to the house and a deep cavern-like 
fireplace, which in winter presented a cheerful fireside with its 
heavy log fire. The floor was scoured to whiteness and covered 
with the finest sand. Her instruction in arithmetic was oral, 
Miss Bettv making the fio^ures on the sanded floor with her 
rod (for teachers were thus armed in those days), and her pu- 
pils with their square pieces of birch-bark and bits of charcoal 
copying the sums she had given them. 

The children having Avalked a long distance were made very 
comfortable at the long recess, as their dinners were many 
times frozen, and sometimes their food required cooking. Miss 
Betty was devoted in her care for them in preparing their fru- 
gal repast. Apples were roasted and nuts were cracked in pro- 
fusion, and then with their old-fashioned games they had an 
enjoyable time. 



3 1 2 TJie Records of Oxford. 

The ancestors of the Hudson, Dana and Pratt families were 
inehided in the schooL 

There is no record of ladies being employed by the town 
as teachers or school dames in the schools. In the latter 
part of the last century and at the connnencement of the 
present century, there were ladies who taught the sununer 
schools. 

Mrs. Susan Thurston, the widow of Rev. Mr. Thurston of 
Medway, and in a second marriage to Ebenezor Waters, Esq., 
of Sutton, was a teacher and taught in the little school-house 
on the Sutton road, the Oxford plain, so called, very early in the 
present century, which was the second school-house erected 
uj)on Oxford plain, the site of Avhich was on the left hand 
side of tlie Sutton road as you leave Main street about opposite 
to the blacksmith's shop. 

Miss Davis, of Roxbury, taught a school in the first Samuel 
Davis mansion, in the east part of the town. Miss Hudson, 
of Oxford, taught school in the school-house nearly o])posite 
to Towne's pond, near the old north common. Miss Hudson 
afterward was married to Mr. John Mayo, of Oxford. She 
lived to a great age of over ninety years. Miss Mary Turner 
also taught the school at this same place at a very early date fui- 
many summers, and died in Oxford, at a very advanced age, 
and was the last of these ancient ladies. 

Knitting, plain sevv^ing and needle work were taught by all 
ladies who were employed to teach, and was in those days, be- 
fore sewing machines were in practice, a part of a female ])upil's 
education. For every pupil, in tinishing her school days, 
wrought a sampler of small size on yellow canvas. Others 
wrought on a large g(|uare of white or yellow canvas, contain- 
ing the alphabet in lioman and writing letters, with ligures, 
sometimes surrounded on three sides with a wreath of flowers, 
while underneath were trees and old ruins and churches; and 
sometiuies a l)asket of liowers, or even birds and beasts, were 



Schools and Libraries. 313 

wrought in luauy-colorod silk, and then the name of tlie artist 
was added, with some sentiment of a prose or poetical effusion, 
as " Industrious Ingenuit}' may find Noble employment for the 
female mind." 

An antique sampler from England. The embroidery with 
which it was embellished comprised a portion of a flower-garden, 
representing tulips and other flowers, with a landscape view 
ornamented from natural history. Grace Yarley, her work, 
1796 with Elizabeth Henderson. 

A speciman of good manners from the " Young Ladies and 
Gentleman's spelling book " a century ago : " When you come 
into a rooni, or go out of it, or when you meet people on the 
street, you must make the handsomest bow you can." 

"If you ask for any thing you must say, pray, sir, give me 
such a thing; or, pray, madam, give me such a thing." 

" When you are spoken to, you must say, yes, sir ; or no, 
sir ; yes, madam or no, madam." 

" Your most obedient. Miss Sally, and how do you do to-day ? " 

" I thank you. Miss Polly, I am very well, and I hope I have 
the pleasure of seeing you well." 

Boys and girls were taught in the " women school " or 
dame's school, and used the New England Primer or any sub- 
stitute from which the alphabet and primary reading and spell- 
ing could be learned and taught, the catechism. School books 
were so few that a whole family of children, not of a poor family, 
would be seen going to school with only one speller. At eleven 
years of age the pupils of these schools were taught arithmetic, 
and at twelve years of age they should be taught to make 
pens. 

The catechism was taught in all public schools outside of 
Boston until the close of the last century, and in some of the 
dame schools at a still later date. 

1767 March 2, to see if the town will pass a vote that each 
school squadron (Ward) shall be obliged, each person or per- 
40 



314 The Records of Oxford. 

sons belonging to each squadron to pay toward building their 
respective schools in the Province Rate. 

The school-houses were soon increased as the town was divided 
into " squares," or " squadrons," or school districts, as they were 
afterward designated. 

The school districts were not designated by the numbers, as 
at the present time, but were named from some landed proprie- 
tor in their vicinity or otherwise, as the North Gore, or South 
Gore, Prospect, etc. 

The first school books to come into use in the colonies from 
England were the spellers. These were successively, Fenning's, 
Moore's, Dilworth's and Perry's; were in the schools previous 
to the Revolution. The two last named retained their place in 
New England schools until after the commencement of the 
present century. Dilworth's speller was entitled " A New 
Guide to the English Tongue," and contained not only a gram- 
mar and reading lessons, but several forms of prayer. 

A copy published at Hartford, Ct., in 1786, is of the 23d 
edition. Most of the editions were published in England. The 
book was obviously intended for the teacher only. 

Thomas Dilworth " Schoolmaster of Wapping," England. 

The spelling book of William Perry was entitled " The Only 
Sure Guide to the English Tongue." 

The clergymen who were located over New England in 
these various rural parishes, were in the habit of hearing the 
recitations of many of the young people in the higher branches 
of study in an education. 

All the youth were guided to a great degree in their reading 
by the suggestions of the clergymen to good English authors, 
and then the social intercourse with the clergyman's family 
was of great advantage, as the society of clergymen's families 
was of a most eligible character in all its surroundings. 



ScJlooIs and Libraries. 315 

An Example of Home Influence. 

The mother of Washington was in the daily habit of read- 
ing to her sons from some serious standard book. One of lier 
great favorites was Sir Matthew Hale's " Contemplations, Moral 
and Divine," and her copy of this book is still preserved among 
the treasures of Mount Yernon. 

Miss Mary Turner, as was the fashion of the time, finished 
her education under the instruction of a clergyman, becoming 
the inmate of Rev. Dr. Crane's family of Northbridge, Mass. 

Hon. Judge Barton, a native of Oxford, was in his youth 
directed in his education before entering Brown University by 
the famous Master Hall of Sutton, Mass., who was extensively 
known as " learned in the ancient languages," Master Hall 
was the son of the distinguished Rev. Dr. Hall of Sutton. 

Many young men who had little to do in winter went to the 
village school until they were from eighteen to twenty years of 
age. So that the winter schools to a certain extent were com- 
posed of young men. The school would continue three and 
sometimes four months. In those days the " committee man " 
selected the teachers, and the teaclier " boarded round " in 
families where he had scholars. To be sure there was much 
rusticity in the manners of the children and youth, more than 
in the present. The boys then took oft" their hats to all 
travelers they met upon the streets and roadside, however 
inelegantly it might be performed, and passed all persons with 
a noticeable respect. 

In parish schools the spelling classes then went " above," 
the position of the " head of the class " being held but one 
week, when the head scholar was placed at the foot of the class 
with the hope of rising again. 

As an incentive to good orthography, extra evening " Spelling 
Schools " were the fashion all through the country towns to pass 
away the long winter evenings. 



3 16 The Records of Oxford. 

Tliougli Wasliiiigtou was extremely dignified, he was kind 
and polite to all. A very old colored women, who remembered 
him as a visitor at her master's house, said he was very kind 
to the servants, and always reinembering tlieir names. " Other 
gentlemen would pass by without a word, hut de President — 
he'd a been President then — he used always to say, ' How's 
you dis mornin, Katy ?' same as if Pd been a lady. But you 
don't see such gentlemen now a days. They don't teach young 
folks manners like they used ! " 

Manners Out of School. 

My aunt taught me, her little niece, to move gently, to speak 
softly and prettily, to say "yes, ma'am" and "no, ma'am," to 
keep my clothes clean, and knit and sew at regular hours, to 
go to church on Sundays and make all the responses, and come 
home and be thoroughly drilled in the catechism.— Harriet 
Beecher /Siowe. 

The boarding schools for young ladies were very few and of 
a very high character. Miss L. M. Thayer, of Braintree, Mass., 
a sister of Col. Thayer, commandant at West Point, and her 
sisters, were teachers of great celebrity in the early part of the 
present century, and among other places the young ladies of 
Oxford were favored with their instruction. Not only were 
their English studies carefully directed, l)ut in deportment 
and in drawing, painting and in the most beautiful embroidery, 
that can scarcely be equaled in the present time, and in all 
clioice needlework. 

Ladies did a great deal of embroidery, working most wonder- 
fid landscapes and seascapes. The style was of that delightful 
kind which combined figures with landscapes. 

There is still to be found in antique embroidery Arcadia, 
the ideal country of virtue and happiness, (We need not try 
to identify with the country formerly so called in the peninsu- 
las of Greece.) 



Schools and Libraries. 



317 



At a time when people bad nothing to do but to stroll about 
or sit in the rural meadows, as a shepherdess leaning on her 
crook watching her flock of sheep and a shepherd boy piping 
sweet music with a simple reedy flute and singing of their love 
for one another. 

Many designs from ancient history or heathen mythology 
were most beautifully executed. 

The Misses Saunders and Beach taught a boarding school at 
Dorchester, Mass. " The young ladies however used pewter 
spoons which were thought good enough for boarding school 
girls in that day." 

One young lady of the ancient Hutchinson family of Boston 
on her arrival at the school took out of her "long pocket" a 
silver spoon and began eating her breakfast. " As long as 
there are silver spoons in the world," she said in an undertone, 
" I shall eat with one, and when there ceases to be, I will put 
up with some inferior metal." 

Many years after, when one of her school friends had be- 
come an elderly lady, she said of this young lady, " She was really 
the most generous girl in school," and this Anne Jane Rob- 
bins in her brilliant youthf ulness was married to Judge Lyman 
of Northampton. — An extract from " Recollections of my 
Mother," by Susan Inches Lesley. (U^ 

For many years the portrait of this young lady's grand- v' ^C'^^ 
mother, Mrs. Elizabg.thXFi:eal^e) Hutchinson, graced the walls ; ^i'^"''^'^ 
of the Wolcott mansion, and her mother's uncle, Mr. Edward '\ ■ 
Hutchinson, made Oxford his home, giving his fortune to his ^j>i^ 

niece, who married Governor Robbins. The remains of Mr. 
Hutchinson were placed in the Wolcott family vault. 

" The old-fashioned blank-book — its paper yellow with age 
— at the ' Ladies Academy,' Dorchester, July 20, 1803." One- 
half of the book is taken up with sections, as they are called, 
describing the "Use of Globes." And the fine, large, clear 
handwriting, the exact definitions of globes, spheres, properties 



,!t^ 



3 1 8 TJie Records of Oxford. 

of spheres, climates, circles, declinations and ascensions, together 
with the perfect spelling, make me believe that the child of 
thirteen received excellent instruction at the " Ladies Academy." 
— " Recollections of my Mother," by Susan Inches Lesley. 

The school books in these primitive days were few. The 
reading of the Bible, especially the Psalter, and the stndy of 
the catechism, with Dilworth's spelling book. Then there was 
the sum book, of magic interest in the study of arithmetic. 
Grammar when mastered Latin was studied. Many assert tliat 
the learning of the catechism trained the memory. Tlie effort to 
understand gave vigor to the mind, precision to habits of think- 
ing and clearness of expression. As an educating expedient, it 
has been followed by notliing superior in all the excellent com- 
pendiums of mental or moral science nsed in school. 

In later times clergymen of the town visited the schools and 
heard the recitations fi'om the catecliism. Dr. Emmons of 
Franklin, the noted divine of the last century, it appears, was the 
last to discontinue this practice in the schools of New England, 
continuing the same into the early part of the present century. 

It is said in the present century Dr. Emmons was not in 
favor of establishing Sunday-schools in the churches, preferring 
the practice of catechising the cliildren at the village school. 
It is said the first Sunday-school in Franklin, Mass., " was estab- 
lished almost under the protest of Dr. Emmons" — as he be- 
lieved many who were taught the catechism in the village 
schools would not be included in a Sunday-school for instruc- 
tion. 

One of his pupils, still living (1885), states that M'hen Dr. 
Emmons entered the school-room all the pupils arose from their 
seats and bowed to him, or made their manners (as then styled), 
he wavino; his hand and bowini>; to them. As soon as he was 
seated the pupils resumed their seats ; the different classes were 
called out to stand before him while he sliould (piestion them 
from the catechism. They all bowed to liim at the commence- 



Schools and Libraries. 3 19 

ment of the lesson, and again at the close of their examination. 
After offering prayers in the school the scholars arose while he 
took his leave of them in the room. These visits to the 
scholars were made on Satnrday every month. 

Mrs. Alexander De Witt, one of his pnpils, states his manner 
of catechising the children in the village schools. After they 
had repeated the words of the catechism, Dr. Emmons would 
inquire : " Well, Polly (my little maid), let me hear if yon un- 
derstand what you said respecting the commandments of God." 
Again he would to another pupil say, " Repeat to me the 
eighth commandment. Now, my little man, do you under- 
stand the meaning of this connnandment, to respect your neigh- 
bor's property ? 

" Does this commandment allow you to take apples from his 
orchard, or in any way to take his property without his con- 
sent ? " 

One can easily picture Dr. Emmons as he entered the 
school-room to catechise the children, and with what awe 
and respect he was received by the pupils, with his tri-cornered 
cocked hat held in his hand extended, dressed in a plain 
black suit with a very long coat and knee-breeches, and black 
stockings. Knee and shoe buckles set off his dignified person. 
It is said he wore his hair long in early life and at a later date 
his hair fell between his shoulders in a ribbon-bound queue, 
which fashion of dressing the hair followed the powdered wig. 
Dr. Emmons never changed his style of dress, though he lived 
into this century. 

In the ancient north parish of Sutton and what is now known 
as the " Old Millbury Common," February 28, 1779, a vote 
was passed to the effect that all youth under the authority of 
parents and masters of the congregation (in that parish), should 
be catechised four times a year by the pastor (Rev. Mr. 
Chaplin). 



320 The Records of Oxford. 

Madame Campan. 

Madame Campan, a Catholic lady of France, was a French 
writer upon education in the last century. 

She resided at the court of Louis XVI. Iler writings were 
honored by the French Academy. She was at the head of the 
French bureau of education. 

A translation from the French : " In parish schools there 
sliould be most assiduous care in the moral education of the 
young." 

"Eeligion, so pow^erful over all hearts, and morals, which 
ought to rule all our thoughts, our affections and our conduct, 
is the indispensable basis of this particular system of instruc- 
tion. It is very essential to stifle at an early period the germs 
of vice in the young. — Extract from the Memoirs of Madame 
Campan^ French edition. 

Madame Campan states that " all sliould receive the rudi- 
ments of an education, reading, writing and a knowledge of 
fio-ures, with a strict moral instruction to all classes of society. 

" And then a separate course of education should be pursued 
with the different positions in society — those intended for a 
professional life should direct their pursuits in learning to that 
end, and others to mercantile life or as soldiers or artisans" or 
to cultivate landed estates. 

" In the brilliant pensionnet of St. Germain, in the beau- 
tiful establishment d'Ecouen, these reflections were often pre- 
sented to my mind. I was still more impressed when I lived 
in the quiet retreat of a little village, how incomplete was 
the system of education. A moral instruction and religion 
will teach a child to respect the authority of his parents and 
teacher, to respect the laws of his country and to respect the 
property of his neighbor. The youth should continue to learn 
the history of the Old and New Testament ; that all the words 
of the Gospel be graven in their hearts as much as in their 



ScJiools and Libraries. 321 

memory, and follow the instructions of the catechism of their 
church." 

To the yoiiUL;' : One cannot repeat too often this ancient 
and useful maxim : " Idleness is the mother of all vices, false- 
hood, robhery and other crimes." A respect for the property 
of others is a tie of all society; all would be confusion and lost 
in the world without this respect of that which does not belong 
to oui'selves. 

Madame Campan gives an illustration : Cartouche, the 
famous ro])ber of the seventeenth century. He was educated in 
a college of Paris but he had profited b> his studies only to 
increase his deceptions and vices. He finished his cireer by 
becoming an assassin, and by being condenmed to be broken 
alive 8wr la place de Greve a Paris. 

Cartouche had occupied the attention of all France by the 
pains the police had to secure the arrest of his person. 

When he ascended the scatiold,his hands pinioned behind his 
Itack, he had a calm air. Several of the attendants of the ex- 
ecutioner surrounded him ; he requested to speak to the vast 
multitude of people ; his request was granted. One of the at- 
tendants cried with a loud voice, " Cartouche wishes to speak to 
the assembly." In an instant a most profound silence reigned 
in the place. The criminal advanced to the extreme edge of 
the scaffold and made the following confession : 

" I die penitent," said he to the assembly. "1 wish to ren- 
der my death useful to the fathers of families and to the in- 
structors of youth. Parents, tutors and instructors, fulfill 
your duties in a watchfulness over the morals of the youth. 
At the age of seven years my parents placed me at a college. 

" There was at the gate at the entrance of the college where I 
was educated a dealer of fruits and sweet-meats. My first 
robbery was a plum. I took one in going out to walk. In re- 
turning I took a second. Unhappy and fatal day. My inex- 
perience hindered me from seeing the first step taken to the 
41 



322 TJic Records of Oxford. 

scaffold. I eontinned my petty larcenies for several months 
withont being discovered. My second robbery was that of 
a roasted pullet exposed for sale at a cook shop near the col- 
lege. I soon had courage to rob silver. I took six livres from 
my preceptor, then a louis. I evaded his suspicion. My va- 
cation arrived ; I went to the country seat of my father, and I 
robbed him of twenty -five louis of gold. He would have had me 
2)laced in the house of correction of Saint Lazare. I evaded him, 
I wandered in the country, I slept in a forest, and I became con- 
nected with robbers, and in my robberies with this band of 
brigands, and thus I became an assassin, hoping to shun justice." 

Madame Campan enjoins humanity to be taught. It is a 
necessity to take the life of animals. But all should be regarded 
in mercy. But to make animals suffer, or to take lives to be 
amused with their sufferings is an atrocious wickedness, and even 
without taking their lives it is verj' blameable to make animals 
suffer by barbarous games. "Fly from them; they are the 
school of the greatest cruelty." 

In Oxford, many years ago, the study of natural history 
was introduced into the village school near the old north com- 
mon in Oxford. Now it is introduced into schools in Europe. 

Monsieur de Sailly gave notes of " Teaching Kindness in 
School.'' From the mirror that he presented to our view we 
saw the reflection of his own character, as that of one possess- 
ing extreme refinement of mind blended with humanity as one 
of its crowning Christian elements. 

We would hope that our whole system of school education 
might be modelled from Prof, de Sailly' s outline of instruc- 
tions, as impressions made on the mind during the first four- 
teen years of life are said to mould the character. 

Illustration. 
" The RedhreastP — One quiet summer's day a redbreast 
was seen to be hovering near the porch of an ancient New 



Schools and Libraries. 323 

England school-room, while the teacher and her pnpils were 
engaged in their daily routine of lessons. The attention of the 
children became riveted to the movements of this strano-e little 
visitoi". The teacher for a brief interval indulged their chil- 
dish pleasure, and showed her own sympathy by requesting 
them to unite with her in giving the redbreast their protection, 
for in this kind act they would have an illustration of the 
kindness she had taught them when giving to them lessons 
from " Natural History." The redbreast became the protege 
of the school. She made her nest near to the old porch, where 
it could be easily reached by the children, and yet she was un- 
harmed. The confidence which this little bird appeared to 
place in her new friends was shown l)y her coming daily to the 
porch for food, and then bringing her young family witli her 
to partake of their share. A lovely picture is thus presented : 
a group of children listening to words of humanity, with the 
redbreast and her young birds sharing the lesson. 

The children, from the time they became interested in this 
pet bird, were more gentle and affectionate to each other. 
Humanity taught them other right principles. They became 
more kind in their care of domestic animals, abandoning the 
practice of robbing birds' nests and destroying small birds. 
They were made sad by the suffering of animals, and suffered 
themselves by any act of cruelty done them. 

The results of this branch of humane education were of a 
most pleasing character. These young children went forth 
from the " village school-room " to excite their parents and 
others to compassion for the poor brute, and with them to love 
humanity.* M. de W. F. 



* The teacher of this school (the Late IMrs. Sternes DeWitt) gave in- 
struction for some years to the same pupils, and the same redbreast re- 
turned from year to year for protection. 



324 The Records of Oxford. 

Early Lessons in Humanity. 

When I was a little girl and lived with nij father and mother 
and sister in our home in the country, we had every thing 
lovely around ns; there was our pleasant tiower garden with 
its rich horder lluweis that my mother so much loved ; at the 
bottom of the garden, an arbor covered with honeysuckle and 
trellises with gi-apevines. Whenever this lovely picture of the 
liome of my childhood returns to my memory, the sweet les- 
sons of Christian faith and humanity taught by my mother, 
remain, never to be forgotten. They were so blended, the one 
with the other, that hunumity seemed a basis of all excellence. 
We were not taught that humanity was the only religion, or 
all of the Christian faith, but we w^ere taught that humanity 
was a part of the Christian life, and that an act of cruelty, 
whether to a poor child on the street, or to any brute, was dis- 
pleasing to God, for every creature shared in His kind care. 

An English divine has said that every brute should be made 
more happy by having a Christian master. At this pleasant 
country home I was allowed to go to the village academy to 
recite my Latin lessons. One day, as the school-boys were go- 
ing to a green lield to linish a large map of the world, that the 
teachers permitted them to sketch on the ground, a |)art of the 
turf being left to form the land picture, and the part removed 
to represent the water, I heard one boy say to another, " Let's 
have a squiri'el hunt," and then produced from one of his 
pockets a squirrel. It looked so forlorn and hapless that I at 
once Would have taken it to my heart. I hesitated to speak to 
them of their cruel sport, and I remained standing in silence. 
All the lessons of my mother came to my mind ; 1 conld speak 
to no one my childish thoughts, my dislike to go alone to a 
public play-gi'ound lor boys only, foi" I never had brothers of 
my own. Lhit the school recess would soon be ended, and the 
squirrel must be saved, even if it met the scorn and rude laugh 



Schools and Libraries. 325 

of the whole schooh Away I hastened over the rough stone 
stiles, regardless of my nicely plaited white dress and the 
smooth curls of my hair; reaching the play-ground with a dis- 
ordered dress and flushed face, I stood before the large group 
of boys and begged the life of the squirrel. My request was 
granted by all the boys in one voice, " Give her the squirrel." 
One boy came forward and presented to me the poor little 
half-starved creature. I was fearful at first to take it, but soon 
managed to fold it in my dress for safety, and then where to 
place my prisosier became a question of great interest to ni}'' 
mind, as a child. I passed on with rapid steps from field to 
meadow, until I came to some shade trees and water, and then 
I gave my captive its liberty, returning to tlie school-room just 
in time to save me from tardiness, I was made happy, in the 
one thouglit tliat my care for one of God's creatures would re- 
ceive the approbation of my mother. M. dk W. F. 

Church Libeart, 
A church library was the first public library established in 
Oxford. Rev. Mr. Campbell writes, in 1743 : " The Honorable 
J udge Dudley devised this liberal thing and sedulously promotes 
it among gentlemen. The Donors' Names are in a Catalogue 
of the IJooks in ' Perpetuam Doni memoriam.' I very will- 
ingly embrace this opjiortunity to present my humble thanks 
to our o-enerous i>euefact(^rs who have made a collection of 
Books for the use of the incninbeut minister of this L^arish." 

JOHN CAMPBELL. 

These books included specimens of costly book-making, 
ponderous volumes. Treatises on the Christian faith, books of 
sermons and commentaries, A Scripture Coniinentary, London 
Edition of I')24, was "the gift of the Rev'd Mr. Benjamin 
Wadsworth, for the use of the Church or Parish Library of Ox- 
ford in the County of Suffolk, 1719." Mr. Wadsworth was 
the minister of the First Church in Boston, once the President 



326 TJic Records of Oxford. 

of Harvard University. A volume entitled " Hexaphla " or 
conunentary on Romans. " Ro.xbury, 3'' Jnly 1736. For the 
use of the Parish Library in Oxford, New England, the Rev. 
Mr. Canibel being tlie minister. Given by Paul Dudley. A 
sermon written by VViiliain Morice, Esq., given by Paul Dudley. 
An Ex]->osition of the Psalms, a large folio in Latin, given by 
Rev. Dr. Colman of Boston. A volume of Sermons by Samuel 
Hieron, (iriven by Samuel Taylor of Boston. 

" Social Library," of Oxfoi'd, dates back to the time of the 
Revolutionarj'^ War. Its founders were General Jonathan 
Davis, Di'. Stephen Barton and Josiah Wolcott, Esq., with 
other intluential persons in the town — a most valuable institu- 
tion of the last century and during the commencement of the 
present century in Oxford.* 

Tlie Catalogue was as follows: British Album, Brown's 
Elements, Barclay's Apology, Chesterfield Abridged, Clark's 
Travels, 3 vols., Canjpbell's Narrative, Dean's Hnsbandi-v, 
Dialogue of Devils, Domestic Encyclopsedia, 5 vols., Domestic 
Cookery, Encyclopaedia, IS vols., Franklin's Works, Female 
Biography, Goldsmith's Works, 6 vols., Grandpre's Voyage, 
Holmes' Sketches, 2 vols.. The Hive, Herriot's Travels, Heathen 
Gods, Indian Wars, Locke on the Understanding, 2 vols.. Life 
of Washington, 5 vols.. Paradise Lost, Memoir of Cumberland, 
Modern Europe, Prideaux' History of the Bible, -i vols., 
Parent's Friend, Pope's Works, 4 vols., Parke's Travels, Por- 
tcus' Evidences of Christian Religion, Relly's Works, 2 vols., 
Rights of Women, Rambler, 4 vols., Rollin's Ancient History, 
8 vols., Robertson's America, 2 vols., Seneca's Morals, Self 



* In 1839. Judge Barton, tlieu of Worcester, presented to tlie library 
four large supplementary volumes of the British Encyclopsedia with a 
volume of plates. In his accompanying note, addressed to Mr. Peter 
Butler, he says: "In tendering it to your Association I shall only make 
a smalt but grateful return for the ])leasnre and benefit derived in the 
days of my boyhood from their useful librarj'. '' 



Schools and Libraries. yi'j 

Knowledge, Shakespeare, 6 vols., Spectator, 8 vols., Tlie Task, 
Tliompson's Seasons, Telemaclius, 2 vols.. Thinks 1 to Myself, 
Vicar of Waketield, Views of Religion, Whitney's History of 
Worcester County, Mr. Williams' Letters, Winchester's Let- 
ters. 

The names of the proprietors were as follows : James 
Butler, Peter Butler, Lemuel Crane, Jonathan Davis, Rufus 
Davis, Abijah Davis, Nehemiah Davis, Stephen Davis, Jon- 
athan Davis, Jr., Williaui T. Fisk, Asa Harris, Samuel Harris, 
Jonas Hartwell, Bradford Hudson, Jeremiah Kingsbury, Samuel 
Kingsbury, Stephen Kingsbury, Sylvanus Learned, Abisha 
Learned, William Lamsoii, John Mayo, Richard Moore, 
Thomas Meriam, Jotham Meriam, John Pratt, John Put- 
nam, Amos Rich, Joseph St(me, William Sigourney, Samuel 
Ward. 

The share of Asa Harris was purchased by Sterues De Witt. 

Society Library. 

Li 1792, the church voted an approj^riatiou of £30 from the 
Hagburn fund toward a new library. 

Rev. Mr. Dudley, the minister with Captain Elisha Davis, 
John Dana, Esq., and Captain Ebenezer Humphrey, were de- 
puted to purchase books. 

The following gentlemen not connected with the church be- 
came members: John Ballard, Jonas Eddy, Lemuel Crane, 
Anthony Sigourney, Simeon Kingsbury, Ebenezer Shumway, 
Jr., Jesse Stone, of Ward, Allen Hancock, Amos Shumway, Jr., 
Joseph Hurd, Daniel Kingsbury, Ambrose Stone, Jr., Sylva- 
nus Town. 

In 1796, Sigourney sold his share in the library to Elias 
Pratt. 

A prudential committee of five gentlemen was chosen an- 
nually to manage the institution, and for the first twenty years, 



328 The Records of Oxford. 

Ebenezer Learned, Elislia Davis, Samuel Ilai'ris, Lemuel Crane, 
John Ballard, Ebenezer Humphrey, Joseph Ilurd, Joshua 
Turner,. John Dana, constituted this committee. 

In 1825, the church voted to replenish the library, and the 
name was chano'ed from " Society Library " to " Second Social 
Library." Among the valuable additions to the library were 
Scott's Bible, 6 vols., Rollin's History, several vols., Silliman's 
Travels, 3 vols., Massillon's Sermons, Kimpton's History of the 
Bible. 

The titles of works first produced were : Gibbon's Abridg- 
ment, 2 vols., Robertson's America, 2 vols., Guthrie's Gram- 
mar, Morse's Grammar, Dodd's Thoughts, Fordyce's Sermons, 
Paley's Philosophy, Citizen of the World, 2 vols., Blackstone's 
Commentaries, 4 vols., Webster's Essay, Paradise Lost, JMight 
Thoughts, Beatlie's Evidences, Beattie's Moral Science, Stack- 
house's History of the Bible, 6 vols.. The Task, Edwards on 
the Will, Jennyn's View, Mason's Self Knowledge, Watts' 
Death and Heaven, Ramsay's History, Doddridge's Rise and 
Progress, Child's Friend, 2 vols., Minot's Lisurrections, Keats' 
Pelew Islands, Vicar of Wakefield, Edwards on Sin, Edwards 
on Redemption, Gardiner's Life, Blair's Sermons, 2 vols., Bos- 
ton's Distinguished Characters, Edwards on the Affections, 
Edwards against Chauncey, The Spectator, 8 vols., Dodd- 
ridge's Sermons, Christian Theology, Pilgrim's Progress, 
Martin's Grammar, Newton on the Prophesies, 2 vols., 
Seneca's Morals, Hopkins on Holiness, Edwards on Virtue, 
American Preacher, 3 vols., Butler's Analogy, Price's Disserta- 
tions, Hervey's Meditations, Bigelow's Tour, 2 vols., Mil- 
lot's Elements, 5 vols., Locke's Essay, 2 vols., Ferguson's 
Astronomy. 

Some of the entries on the records of fines are quite sugges- 
tive of the olden time, as when Mr. Lemuel Crane "greased 
Blackstone ; " Peter Shumway " dropped tallow on the Ameri- 
can Preacher;" Silas Eddy "dropped tallow on and burnt 



Manufactures and Old Fashions. 329 

Stackhonse;" John Dana, ''a drop of the candle on book;" 
Amos Slnunway " blurred (snuff) Josephus." Fines for tallow 
drops were common. 

Free Public Library. 

Judge Barton's will, dated 1 June, 1867, contained the fol- 
lowing : " One thousand dollars to the inhabitants of the 
town of Oxford, my native place, toward establishing a Free 
Public Library in that town, as an inadequate return for the 
kindness and patronage of their Withers in my early professional 
life." 

This gift was formally accepted by the town in April, 1868. 

In November, 1869, on the report of a committee appointed 
in the preceding April to consider the subject, it was voted to 
organize a town library under the provisions of the State laws. 
In 1870 the library was established. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Manufactures and Old Fashions. 

Until 1530 all spinning was done by the distaff" and spindle, 
but in that year a nuiu in Germany invented the spinning- 
wheel. Queen Elizabeth directed that laws should be passed 
in England to encourage manufacturing. 

In the early settlement of New England every farmer kept 
a flock of sheep for the wool, and when the wool shearing, came 
round after it was washed and carded, then it was spun and 
woven into cloth. 

The farmer's wife or house-maid took the wool and dyed it 
in the dye-pot standing in the corner of the fire-place, and when 
not in use this dye-pot was covered and answered for the pur- 
pose of a seat for children or servants. 
42 



330 The Records of Oxford. 

There was the carding of wool by hand into rolls, spinning 
then on a largo wheel, walking to and fro through the long and 
weary days, turning the wheel with one hand, and holding the 
thread with the other. Then the yarn was reeled into skeins, dyed 
and washed, and put upon the warping-bars, and into the loom. 

Then each thread of the warp must be drawn through the 
"harness'' and through the "reed;" then the shuttle was 
thrown backward and forward, and the thread beaten in by 
the " lathe." 

The flax had been spread upon the green sward to decay dur- 
ing the rains of autumn. It had been bound in bundles ready 
for the breaking in a winter's day. 

It was pulled, dried and swingled by the farm laborer, but 
the farmer's wife or house-maid combed, spun, wove and 
bleached until the white linen was ready for family use, and 
when of extra fineness the linen sheets were packed away 
in lavender in huge chests for the marriage gift to some young 
maiden of the household. 

When the wardrobe and household linen of a maiden were 
completed the lover requested the domine to come and marry 
them. 

The mothers and daughters of the farmer or their maids 
toiled all the day wielding the hand-cards, throwing the 
shuttle or wliirling the wheel, and then the carding, spinning, 
dying and weaving. 

And there was the weaving of linen for the household, the 
making of linsey-woolsey for gowns, or of all wool cloth for 
men's garments. 

Linsey-w^oolsey was a fabric made of wool and linen. Por- 
tions of the wool in yarn were dyed in colors and plaid, and 
striped cloths were thus manufactured for female dress, for every 
lady wore home-spun clothing. 

The spinning-wheel was set to humming at an early hour of 
the day. 



Manufactures and Old Fashions. 331 

Children in olden time were trained in industrious habits; 
they could wind the quills and turn the reels, while the matrons 
and daughters or the maids accomplished their " day's work" 
at the loom or spinning-wheel. 

The weaving-room with all its comforts was the apartment 
in the farm-house resorted to by the children of the family. 

The quill-wheel, by which the shuttle-spools were bound with 
filling, was an attraction. 

Any woman who could spin, weave and embroider was con- 
sidered quite a treasure in those days away back in the first set- 
tlement of New England ; then the old loom made such a busy 
sound in the farm-house and cottage for " the farmer's wife or 
her maids used to run races in ' spinnin ' ' and a weavin,' ' for 
all were master hands at spinnin.' " 

Then these industrious persons of a long afternoon (for they 
dined at an early hour) or of a long evening, for five o'clock teas 
were fashionable in these days, would spend a considerable 
piece of time together over their spinning-wheels "for folks 
spent a heap o' time spinning in these days." 

It is not known when the first fulling-mills were set up in 
Oxford, nor in the country, but they date far back into the last 
century. For many years in passing through the country towns 
and villages, one would see standing there deserted mills. 

The fulling-mill in its day became a necessity to the domes- 
tic manufactures, for it was impossible to full the cloth at the 
farm in as finished a style as desirable. 

Then came the clothier's shop where the fulled cloth was 
dressed by teazles and shears (fixed on cylinders). 

Then there was nuich attention given to the dying the fab- 
rics, and among the favorite colors which were the fashion of 
the time a century since were deep blue, brown, snuff color or 
butternut, and a shade of wine color. 

The clothiers felt an ambition in their business and gave a 
o-ood appearance to the cloth that was sent to them for dress. 



332 TJie Records of Oxford. 

About the same time cardiug-macliines, or mills run by water, 
were established in the country towns. Loads of fleeces went 
from the farm-houses to the mills and came back handsome 
rolls, but still the spinning and weaving were done at the farm 
l)y the farmer's wife or house-maid on the old-fashioned wheel 
and hand-loom. 

Samuel Slater's object in establishing mills in Oxford (this 
interior part of the country) was to introduce his yarn for 
weaving into cloth. The means for effecting this improvement 
in manufacturing was to consign large quantities of yarn to the 
country traders, and they introduce the same to the weavers of 
the farm-house to be woven into cloth. It was considered a 
great acquisition in families to obtain this yarn for weaving. 

Until about the years 1808 to 1810 the manufacture of 
yarn into cloth was then only done in families upon the hand- 
loom and in such quantities as domestic necessity i-equired. 
Tiie mode of weaving yarn into cloth by water power had not 
at this time been discovered. The farmer raised flax for summer 
use and bedding, and kept sheep for the product of wool for 
winter clothing. 

This flax and wool were spun into yarn and woven into cloth 
at the various farm-houses. These weavers had i)y necessity 
become skilled in the use of the hand-wheel and the hand- 
loom. The old life fashion went out of Oxford with the 
hand-looms. 

This business continued from 1812 to 1823. The manufac- 
ture of cotton into yarn was commenced in 1813. The power- 
loom introduced in 1814 did not supersede the hand-loom in 
this connection until about ten years later. 

But the carding, spinning and weaving in families for domestic 
purposes was not displaced by the power-loom for many years 
after the factories had ceased to emjiloy the hand-loom for 
weaving their yarn. The weaving of woolen yarn by the 
manufacturers of wool cloths by the hand-loom was continued 



Ma?mfact7tres and Old Fashions. 333 

till about 1823, when it was abandoned by substituting the 
power-loom for weaving these fabrics. In 1814 was com- 
menced in Oxford the making of broadcloths. 

In 1812, Samuel Slater had established himself in what was 
then Oxford,* and Oxford mechanics were employed by him. 
New enterprises claimed to utilize this experience, and so Ox- 
ford mechanics became the leaders in the new direction of 
labor and kept it until the wooden wheels were superseded by 
the iron wheels now in use. 

Samuel Slater had introduced spinning by power on machines 
he had made like those he had been familiar with in England. 
From this beginning, at about 1800, conmenced themill-wright's 
business. Oxford was " the town of mill wrights ; almost every 
mechanic in the place was a mill-wright." 

" Israel Sibley by his energy and capability and business 
enterprise was at the head of the mechanic? of which Oxford 
was the great center. He was the central ligure among these 
skilled workmen of the town, who did more than any other to 
win and retain his reputation." 

Edward Howard, an Englishman, had commenced the manu- 
facture of woolen goods in Oxfoi'd, now Webster, in the interest 
of Samuel Slater the cotton manufacturer. 

" Young Sibley was employed in the fitting up of the estab- 
lishment, the arrangement of the machinery. Howard did not 
like some of the mills in use in this country, especially the 
'crank fulling-mills.' They used a better mill in England, 
and they made the best cloth there of any nation on the globe, 
so he tried to describe to young Sibley how it was made and 
how it worked. Of course the young mechanic did not understand 
much of the process of finishing woolen goods, but he could see 
how a machine could be made to effect the result, and at 
Howard's suggestion he undertook to build one. The result was 
after some alteration a success in erecting an entirelj' new 

* Now Webster. 



334 The Records of Oxford. 

mill, and one that was destined to be the standard mill of 
his time. 

"Had he patented his invention there would have been a 
fortune in it, as it was, he was contented to let the public have 
the benefit of the mill without incumbrance. 

" The invention of the fulling stocks and fulling-mill began 
Sibley's successful career as a mill wright and his prominence 
as a master of mechanics in the country." 

Israel Sibley acquii-ed a competency and retired from busi- 
ness with an income from his estate. He purchased a fine 
landed estate, located on the village street, with a pleasant old 
mansion house, presenting many attractions, near the site of 
where once was the residence of Dr. Alexander Campbell. lie 
married Miss Davis, the granddaughter of Elijah Davis, Esq., 
and he became one of the influential men of the town. He was 
a stockholder, and for a series of years a director, in the Oxford 
Bank. He held important town offices, and represented the 
town in the Legislature. " He was quiet and unpretending in 
his manners and style of life. He was a man of few words, 
but of great executive ability, and hardly realized the power 
lie was in the community, and how much he contributed to 
the prosperity of the town and the advancement of its in- 
terests." 

In the ancient farm-houses of Oxford there was a large square 
chamber which was distinguished as the "weaving-room," with 
its south and south-western windows, which lengthened the 
hours of the day, and thus favored industry, as the mistress or 
maid sprung the shuttle and heaved the beam. 

This apartment presents itself as a picture of the past. The 
roomsin old-fashioned houses were of medium height wlien com- 
pared with the present fashion. They were styled " low- 
browed," the huge chimney giving a tire-place in a corner of 
this weaving-room. A wood fire added t<> its cheerfulneps and 
comfort. 



Manufactures and Old Fashions. 335 

Then there were such piles of flamiel and linen sheet- 
ing, with table-cloths and toweling and coverlets, woven in 
a variety of patterns of foreign damask, showing great artistic 
skill. 

Then there were the various kinds of cloth and grades need- 
ful for family use, heavy woolen cloth for men's wear in the 
winter, and tow cloth for summer, woolen stuff, linsey woolsey 
and ginghams for women and children. 

There was also great attention given to weaving carpeting, 
the warp being spun wool of various colors, and the woof 
made of cast-oft" winter clothing as a matter of economy, or 
remnants purchased of the tailors or tailoresses, cut in narrow 
strips and colored black or butternut brown. These carpets 
were of great simpKcity, but were in good taste. They were 
closely copied from Venetian carpeting, which was considered 
priceless for country wear, and then they were durable in their 
colors and were a combination of beauty and utility. 

Coverlets very artistically woven are still preserved as relics, 
also bed and table linen, domestic chintz, embroidered or plain, 
for bed hangings, flannel and woolen fabrics. 

For coverlets there were regular patterns for weaving. 
" Summer and winter" was a favorite. 

Miss Eebecca Mayo, of Oxford, was a person of no ordinary 
character or ability. Iler presence was commanding, with a 
noticeable depth of character, not only by her powers of mind, 
but by her taste for embroidery and every feminine accomplish- 
ment of her time. 

Miss Eebecca was known to all the community— " such dainty 
linen as came from her hand, so firm in its texture and then so 
fine and white." " She had watched the flax in its blue blos- 
soms when it flrst appeared, she had wound its fibre on the dis- 
taff and spun and woven every thread herself, she had spread 
the web to bleach, and when all was completed it was laid away 
in the great store-chest." 



336 The Records of Oxford. 

Bounlillon, the Ilugncnot named by Captain Humphrey, 
who remained in New Oxford after the re-settlement of the 
French, had abandoned the place. A tradition of the Mayo 
family states he was employed by the English in printing 
the domestic fabrics used as dress goods for the English 
families. 

Mrs. L. H. Sigonrney narrates that in her own warbrobe were 
included articles of dress of choice domestic fabrics woven at 
her country home at Norwich, Ct., wliich she had in her extreme 
youth worn with more satisfaction than she had since worn 
brocades, as court costume at presentations of royalty. 

Mrs. Sigourney at her own elegant mansion in Hartford, Ct., 
introduced the spinning-wheel as a gratification to Mr. Sigour- 
ney and to her own refined taste. Mrs. Oldboro, the nurse of her 
children, in days long since, in leisure hours, engaged herself at 
the spinning-wheel. 

Before the Revolution there was little ambition for success 
in manufacturing extending beyond home consumption in the 
colonies, as it was the policy of the British government to sup- 
press manufacturing in all its branches beyond its own require- 
ments in the colonies. 

But one of the great advantages of the Revolution was claimed 
the commencement of an industrial as well as a political inde- 
pendence. 

During the time of the war of the Revolution Madam Wash- 
ington's influence in society as to style of dress was of severe 
plainness. It is said two of her dresses were of cotton, striped 
with silk, and entirely of domestic manufacture, for in her 
own home the spinning-wheels and looms were kept constantly 
going and her dresses were many times woven by her own 
waiting-maids. 

Tradition states General Washington at his first inaugura- 
tion wore a full suit of fine clothes, manufactured by his own 
household. 



Mamifactures and Old Fashions. 337 

Before the war it appears, by an order sent to his agent in 
London, that General Washington was an admirer of nice ar- 
ticles of dress for a lady's wardrobe. 

Washington was ever mindful of the happiness of those de- 
pendent upon him. He had no children of his own, but he 
was devotedly attached to the children of Mrs. Washington by 
her tirst marriage. At one time he sent to Mr. Cory, his agent 
in London, a long invoice of various matters needed for the 
lar^e establishment at Mount Yernon. The list ends with 
"six little books and ten shilKngs of toys for Master Custis, six 
years old," and " a fashionably-dressed baby, worth ten shillings, 
and ten shillings of other toys," for Miss Patty, aged four. On 
the arrival of the ship which contained these goods there must 
have been much excitement of the household over the unpack- 
ing of the welcome gifts; the childish ecstasy of Miss Patty over 
her London doll must have been extreme, as well as the pleas- 
ure of Madame Washington over an addition to her wardrobe, 
viz. : the " salmon-colored velvet, with satin flowers," and the 
" cap, kerchief, tucker and ruffles of Brussels or point, proper to 
wear with the same." And then the rejoicing of the children, 
white and black, over the pound of barley sugar and the fifteen 
pounds of rock candy which were included in the same list. 
Rock candy was then esteemed a sovereign remedy for a cold, 
and was also often used to sweeten tea and coffee. 

The Fashions of Dress in the Eighteenth Century. 

The ladies wore caps, long stiff stays, and high-heeled 
shoes. 

Their bonnets were of satin or silk, and usually black. 

Gowns were extremely long waisted, with tight sleeves, an- 
other fashion was, very short sleeves, with an immense frill at 
the elbow, leaving the rest of tlie arm naked. A large flexible 
hoop, three or four feet in diameter, was for some time quilted 
in^the hem of the gown. A long, round cushion, stuffed with 
43 



338 The Records of Oxford. 

hair or cotton and covered witli black crape, was laid across the 
head, over which the hair was combed back and fastened. 

It was the fashion for ladies to wear necklaces when in 
dress. Some of these necklaces were composed of pearls, to 
which a gold locket would be attached — and others were 
simplj gold beads, thirty-nine in number, about the size of a 
small pea. 

In olden time, in full dress, ladies' shoes were made of satin 
and damask or of rich brocaded silk, the same as their dresses, 
with high wooden heels, afterward cork heels. 

The shoes were generally fashioned with straps with large 
silver buckles, which was the fashion of those days for ladies 
as well as gentlemen. For a more common article of shoes 
various stuffs were in use, such as leather, woolen cloth, shal- 
loon and russet. 

Though the people raised their own flax and wool, and made 
their own cloth, gentlemen universally purchased a suit of 
English broadcloth, and ladies purchased a rich brocade or an 
India chintz for a gown on grand occasions. 

Sheep-skins and buck-skins were dressed and made into 
breeches, as they were then styled, and were of nice quality, 
and worn by gentlemen. 

Gentlemen, in those daj's, wore hats with broad brims, turned 
up into three corners, with loops at the side; long coats with 
large pocket folds and cuffs, and without collars. The buttons 
were commonly plated, but sometimes of silver, often as large 
as half a dollar. Shirts had bosom and wrist rutfles, and all 
wore gold or silver shirt buttons at the wrist, united by a link. 
The waistcoat was long with large pockets ; and the neckcloth 
or scarf of fine white linen, muslin or figured stuff, broidered, 
and the ends falling loosely on the breast. The breeches 
were usually close, with silver buckles at the knees, with long 
gray stockings, which on holidays were exchanged for black or 
white silk. 



Manufactures and Old Fashions. 339 

Boots with broad white tops, or shoes with straps and large 
silver buckles, completed the costume of a gentleman. Clergy- 
men when in dress wore black silk stockings. 

All gentlemen who had reached the age of twenty-live or 
thirt^^-five years had two wigs ; one for Sunday and one for 
ordinary every -day wear. 

The Sunday wig was very expensive and elaborate. The 
hair was shaven closely, that the wig might be fitted to the 
head. The dress wig sometimes rose a foot above the head 
and came down on either side the head to the waist. 

All elderly people who wore wigs usually removed them in 
the church daring service, and supplied their place with a plain 
linen cap, or one knit of cotton or linen and of woolen in the 
winter; a small tassel on the top of the cap was the only orna- 
ment; clergymen when they made visits on their parishioners, 
removed the wig and hung it upon the pegs or heavy nails on 
the paneling of the walls ; when leaving the cap was laid aside 
and the wig resumed its place. 

Coat, vest, knee-breeches, of the long-waisted, single-breasted, 
large pocket-flapped kind were counted style in those days. 
They were made of snuff- brown silk of the quality of Mrs. Vi- 
car Wakefield's wedding gown, that was bound to wear well. 

Three-cornered cocked hats, plum-colored, crimson, green 
and purple velvet coats, embroidered waistcoats, buckles, 
powdered wigs and pig-tails, all were the going fashion previous 
to the Revolution. But these fashions were now waning. 

Soon after the War of the Revolution the fashion of wearing 
wigs by gentlemen was discontinued, though some elderly 
gentlemen wore them till the commencement of the present 
century. 

Gentlemen wore their hair in a queue, the front hair being 
brushed straight over the forehead. 

Tailors and tailoresses went from house to house to make the 
clothing for men, with their shears and long pockets. The 



340 TJie Records of Oxford. 

coarse tow cloth was made into rough but durable clothing for 
workiugmen. 

Simplicity in dress, manners and equipage characterized these 
New England homes until quite a number of years after the 
Revolutionary War. As wealth increased broadcloth and silk 
began to take the place of home-spun. 

Woolen and linen fabrics constituted the clothing. A silk 
dress then lasted a life-time and descended as an heir-loom from 
mother to daughter. Furs were quite common as there were 
80 many wild animals. Bear skin muffs were the fashion. Strips 
of the bear skin were sewed alternately to silk or linen goods, 
as the skins were too heavy to be used as a whole. Black and 
white fox skins were in great demand and line sets of European 
sable were common. 

The visit of Lady Washington was noticed in the newspapers 
and one of her 2'eceptions described. 

" Most of the ladies were arrayed in gorgeous brocade and 
taffeta luxuriously displayed on hoops with comely bodices laced 
around that ancient armour, the stay, disclosing most perilous 
waists, and with sleeves that clung to the arm as far as the 
elbow, when they took a graceful leave in ruffles, their hair all 
drawn back over cushions and falling in cataracts upon the 
shoulders, in shoes with formidible point to the toe and high 
tottering lieels painfully cut in wood, with their tower built hats 
crowned with tall feathers." 

In a gentleman's style of dress the ruff gave place to the 
fashion of the falling collar, which began to increase in size as 
extravagantly as the ruff had done, until it was as big as a 
cape, made of the most expensive lace that could be woven. 
On the restoration of the Stuarts, Charles II and his court 
resumed the lace collar, but of more moderate dimensions. 
Gradually the collar became limj)er and limper until it disap- 
peared, and a wisp of lawn, linen or lace took its place, and 
when tied loosely in a knot it was quite a graceful fashion, but 



Manufactures and Old Fashions. 341 

little by little the plain collar became the style with all its 
numerous changes of fashion. 

During the time of the protector the Round Heads were as 
well known by their cropped hair and severe simplicity in 
dress as the Cavaliers had been by the extravagance of their 
attire. Their rich low collars were doomed to oblivion, and 
a plain piece of turned-down hnen was adopted by the 
Puritans. 

Samuel Slater* may be regarded as the founder of the town 
of Webster, as through the introduction of his manufacturing 
estabhshments of cotton and woolen fabrics, its population has 
been increased and its commercial celebrity has been established. 

On young Slater's arrival in New York, he sought the 
patronage of Moses Brown of Providence, R. I. , a gentleman ex- 
tensively known in the country, and finally secured a partner- 
ship in business with Mr. Almy, the son-in-law of Mr. Brown. 

He was styled the father (or founder) of the cotton manu- 
facture of the United States. In October, 1791, some of the 
yarn first spun, and some of the cotton cloth first made from 
his yarn in America, was sent to the secretary of the United 
States to be preserved in the Treasury department. 

In the year 1832 the town of Webster was formed from the 
towns of Dudley and Oxford with the territory of Oxford, 
known for many years as " Oxford South Gore," and another 
tract belonging to the Pegan Indians (a remnant tribe of the 
Nipmucks), which they had received from the town of Dudley 
for their relinquishment of certain rights to land located on 

* Samuel Slater was a native of Belper, Derbyshire, England. He 
left for London September 1, 1789. On the 13th sailed for New York, 
and, after sixty-six days, arrived in that city. When ready to sail he des- 
patched a letter by the post to his mother, informing her he had left 
England for the United States, thus avoiding the parting scene. His 
father died when he was but fourteen years of age. Samuel Slater 
was born June 28, 1768. He died in Oxford (now Webster) April 20, 
1835. 



342 The Records of Oxford. 

Dudley hill, which was part of the land known formerly as 
'Black, James & Co.'s Grrant," surveyed to them in 1684. 

This reservation was equal to about five miles square, made 
by the ancestors of these Indians in their deed procured by 
Hon. William Stoua;hton and Joseph Dudley, agents of the 
colony.* 

Througli the introduction of both cotton and woolen manu- 
facture its chief prosperity and population has been introduced. 

It is a subject of historical interest to ascertain by what 
means Mr. Slater became acquainted with the water-power at 
this place. 

Mr. James Tiffany, of South Brimfield (now Wales), in 
Massachusetts, in often visiting Providence and Pawtucket, 
formed an acquaintance with Samuel Slater and his cotton 
manufacture at Pawtucket. Mr. Slater became interested in the 
young sons of Mr. Tiffany who were well educated for the time. 

Mr. Tiffany recognizing Mr. Slatei''s superior business talents, 
requested him to take his sons and educate them for a mercan- 
tile position. On the father's recommendation alone Mr. Slater 
consented that one of the sons should be sent to him on trial. 
Soon after the eldest, Lyman, made his appearance at Paw- 
tucket, and soon proved himself to be all the fond father had 
recommended, and became a favorite in Mr. Slater's family. 
Bel a, a second son of Mr. Tiffany, soon followed his brother in 
Mr. Slater's care, and proved himself capable and satisfactory 
in the performance of the trust confided to him. 

* " Six years after the close of the war, Eliot could claim but four 
towns in the State." One of these was Chaubunagungamaug (now 
Webster).— Drake, 179. 

Rev. John Eliot, 1688, gives the name of the large pond as " Chabana- 
kongkomun." The nearest approach to a translation of the word is 
found in a collection of the Connecticut Historical Society (documents) 
by I. H. Trumbull, and was given as "The boundary fishing place," as 
the lake formed the boundary between the jSIipmucks and Mulhekaas, 
and was resorted to by both nations. 



Mamifactiires and Old Fashions. 343 

Mr. Slater to ejffect his plans, raannfacturing establishments 
were to be erected in the country; he had made inquiry as to 
some suitable locations, when his friend Tiffany described to 
him the valuable water-power afforded by the outlet of the 
Chabanakongkomun pond.* 

Mr. Tiffany, in his journeyings to and from Pawtucket and 
Providence, passed and repassed this outlet, which at that time 
was the principal way of travel, the more direct roads having 
since been opened for travel. 

With the recommendation of this water-power by Mr. Tif- 
fany, Mr. Slater despatched young Titiany, then in his employ, 
in May, 1811, who, liaving examined the premises, writes Mr. 
Slater as follows: 

Franklin, May 27, 1811. 
Mr. Samuel Slatek : 

Dear Sir. — I was very much disappointed when I arrived at 
Mr. Rnd's in Uxbridge, for I had no information of the cause 
why you were not there. True the letter came Friday night, 
but through mistake, being brought after I had retired, was 
put into the post-ofhce, and when I returned on Sunday morn- 
ing (having been up to the pond), it was taken out of the oiBce, 
and fortunately I found it ; but I thought it best to pursue the 
intended journey, by which I could in some measure satisfy 
myself, which is as follows : 

Buildings — Large two-story house unfinished inside, built 
for two families ; grist-mill with two run of stones, tolerably 
good ; a very good saw-mill, and a trip-hammer shop in good 
repair, 11 with about 13 or 14 acres of land, one-half of which 
is swamp of very little value, and the rest not very good. 
With regard to water and fall, there is no doubt enough to 

* Lake Chabanakongkomuu is a beautiful lake which extends over an 
area of 1,200 acres of land. The shores and its heavily wooden islands 
add much to the beauty of scenery. 



344 '^f^^ Records of Oxford. 

answer any purpose we should want, and so situated that a 
mill may be erected with as little expense as in any place I 
have seen; it is convenient to the road, and I believe quite 
secure from inundation. 

The principal objection, in my opinion, is that it is the most 
benighted part of the globe, 4 miles from Oxford, 3 from Dud- 
ley, 6^ from Thompson, where the corners of the three towns 
intersect each other. 

Terms are as follows : Four thousand dollars are the lowest 
terms ; one thousand dollars down, in two years one thousand 
more, and then one thousand yearly until balance is paid or if 
at. the expiration of one year the residue is paid that is the 
three thousand dollars, a deduction of one hundred will be 
made, which I consider no object. I have the refusal at the 
above stipulation until the 20th of June, but he said it would 
oblige him if we could determine soon, as two men were ex- 
pected to look at the place the 20th instant, who had seen it 
before and solicited him to join them and erect a mill but he 
said he preferred to sell right out, as a farm life would be most 
agreeable to himself and family, and says that if I will sell my 
farm he will look at it, and did it suit him, give a fair price, 
which will be some advantage to me, because it will almost pay 
him for the privilege. There is a farm adjoining the mill site 
of about 220 acres of land, a dwelling-house and barn, for sale, 
for about $3,000, which, if it should be wanted, may be had, 
and which may be worth very near that money. If you feel 
desirous to have the place, you will please write me, for 1 told 
him he should hear from me within that time, one way or the 
other. 

Your obedient servant, 

Bela Tiffany. 

This valuable water- power afforded by the outlet of Chabana- 
kongkomun lake was purchased by Samuel Slater. 



Manufactures and Old Fashions. 345 

With Mr. Slater's approval of purchasing this water-power 
and some adjoining lands, the purchases were made in Mr.Tif- 
fany's individual name; bought of three different parties — 9^ 
acres in two parcels, of Elisha Pratt, for the consideration $3,700. 
[^'One of these parcels of four acres contained a dwelling-house 
and barn, grist-mill and saw-mill, a trip-hammer shop, coal- 
house, and an old building formerly a grist-mill. 

The date of this first is " January 6, 1812," and, as expressed 
in this deed, the land was located partly in each, Dudley and 
Oxford. 

The second purchase was 203 acres, situated in the towns of 
Dudley and Oxford, bought of Asa and Samuel Robinson, with 
the buildings, for the consideration of $3,500, by deed dated 
" January 28, 1812." 

A third lot was bought of Josiah Kingsbury, of 56 acres, 
with a dwelling-house, and clothing-mill thereon, for the con- 
sideration of $1,800, by deed dated "May 4, 1812." 

The three purchases contained 268^ acres of land, with the 
aforesaid buildings and mills, giving the entire control of the 
outlet and water-power connected with the large pond before 
named, were secured, for the total sum of $9,000. Mr. Bela Tif- 
fany sold to Samuel Slater five-sixths of all this estate at the pre- 
cise cost to him, $7,500, making a joint-interest to be held in 
common and undivided, he reserving one-sixth for himself. 
This deed is dated "11th of December, 1812," and witnessed 
by Samuel A. Hitchcock and Lorin Tiffany, who were at that 
time there acting in the capacity of clerks for Slater & Tiffany. 

The cotton-factory, known as the " Green mill," was 
erected during the year 1812, and the manufacture of cotton 
into yarn was first begun here in 1813. 

It appears that the dye and bleaching buildings were built 
at the same time, and placed under the care of Mr. John Ty- 
son from England, who, it appears, held a joint interest in the 
business. Mr. Tyson continued connected with the dye-house 
44 



34^ The Records of Oxford. 

business from seven to eight years — his health became im- 
paired, and after one or more voyages to Bermuda for relief, he 
died of consumption August 2, 1821. 

In about 1814 Samuel Slater commenced the woolen manufac- 
ture. At this time was commenced the making of broadcloths 
under the charge of Edward Howard, who came from England. 

Edward Howard it is said or believed \vas among the first — 
if not exclusively so — to introduce the manufacture of Ameri- 
can broadcloth. 

Mr. Slater's business here had been confined to the water- 
power connected with the Chabanakongkomun pond, at the 
East village, but this year, 1821, associated with Mr. Howard, 
he made a location upon the French river, now known as the 
South village. 

Messrs. Slater & Tiflfany, besides the management of the 
cotton manufacture and dying and bleaching business, a store 
was added, and thus further purchases of real estate continued. 
The great depression in the cotton manufacture which followed 
the close of the war between Great Britain and the United 
States, December, 1814, consequent upon the large importation 
of English manufactures, caused Mr. Tiffany to sell all his in- 
terest in this business to Mr. Slater. The date of deed '* No- 
vember 27, 1816." 

Mr. Bela Tiffany, after retiring from his partnership with 
Mr. Slater, entered upon the commission sale of American cot- 
ton and wool manufactures in Boston and New York, and after 
retiring from business he became a resident of Southbridge, 
became interested in forming the Southbridge bank, and many 
public improvements. He died June 29, 1851, aged 65 years. 

July 18, 1821, Edward Howard bought land of "William 
Wakefield and Gibbs Dodge, executors of Solomon Wakefield. 
Another tract of William Wakefield. And a third tract from 
David Wakefield, and a fourth tract, a wood lot ; bought of 
Daniel Mansfield a tract of land. 



Manufactures and Old Fashions. 347 

This embraced several mills and buildings, where the woolen 
works are now located. 

The business was now conducted here in the name of Slater 
& Howard. Slater & Howard purchased tracts of additional 
land. 

Slater & Howard purchased the village factory estate, Nov. 
6, 1824. Dana A. Braman, William M. Benedict and Jason 
Waters. Together with the village factory, dwelling-houses 
and the water privilege belonging to the cotton, woolen and 
linen manufacturing company, reference being had to the deed 
of Samuel Waters, and others to above village factory company. 

Tillage Factory Sale. 

To this estate was added additional purchase, in which was 
included the Peter Pond wood lot of about twenty acres, on the 
west side of French river. 

The style of this firm was Slater & Howard. January 2, 
1829, Edward Howard sells to Samuel Slater of Oxford, 
George B. Slater and Horatio Nelson Slater, his one undivided 
half of the property of the woolen manufacturing company. 

This includes all the water power supplied by the French 
river within the limits of Webster. 

" It may be said that Bela Tiffany, John Tyson and Edward 
Howard were the chief managers in executing the plans of Mr. 
Slater, in founding the principal business of Webster, and that 
which furnishes its chief prosperity and growth as a town." 

It appears that after the Revolutionary War Rev. Samuel 
Waters and other Baptist clergymen preached occasionally. In 
1790 the east part of the town was the principal place of hold- 
ing services. In 1798 a reorganization of this church took place 
in the east part of Dudley, which subsequently became the town 
of Webster, and Solomon Wakefield was ordained as their 
minister. Its principal members were Joseph Wakefield, Will- 
iam Wakefield, Paul Robinson, Silas Robinson. 



348 The Records of Oxford. 

CHAPTER XXIY. 

The Inter-Colonial Wars. 
I. King WilliarrCs War. 

There is found, dated April, 1690, a quaint old agreement 
among the " Bernon Papers." Gabriel Bernon,* the president of 
the Huguenot settlement of Oxford, enters upon an agreement 
with one Jean Barre, a fellow refugee, promising to furnish 
him with " one fire-lockmuskett of three pounds valeu, one pis- 
toll of twenty shillings price, one Carthuse Boxe of three shillings 
one hatchet of two shillings," and other necessaries, besides 
three pounds in money, " for his now intended voyage on Board 
the good shipp called the PorJcepine, Capt. Ciprian Southack, 
commander, now bound to sea in a war farcing voyage." 
Captain Southack was a Boston skipper, who became noted 
at a later day for his success in breaking up piracy. 

The " good ship Porcupine " belonged to the fleet that was 
then getting ready to sail from Boston harbor, under Sir Wil- 
liam Phipps ; and the " war farcing voyage " in question was the 
expedition for the capture of Port Royal, in Nova Scotia, 
which Massachusetts sent forth \A the spring of the year 1690, 
preliminary to the enterprise thin on foot for the conquest of 
Canada. 

The expedition for the capture of Port Royal was thor- 
oughly successful, and it awakened eager hopes in Boston for 
the more important undertaking of which this was but the first 
step — the attack about to be made upon Quebec. 

None were more keenly interested in these movements than 
the newly-arrived Huguenots in Boston, 

During King William's War in 1690, in the winter, most of 



* Gabriel Bernon, the founder of Oxford, Mass. 



The Inter-Colonial Wars. 349 

the frontier settlements in Maine and New Hampshire were de- 
stroyed by the French and Indians, and in other parts of the 
country. 

Sir William Phipps commanded 'a small fleet from Massa- 
chusetts Bay, and captured the old French settlement of Port 
Royal in Nova Scotia, 

Rev. Grindal Rawson* went as a chaplain with the fleet, " re- 
ceiving his appointment from the Governor, confirmed by both 
houses, July 31, 1G90," to accompany the general and forces to 
carry on the worshipping of God in that expedition." 

A translation of a letter written in French in 1691 : 

"Our fleet," wrote Benjamin Faneuil, in great glee, on the 
22d of May, to Thomas Bureau in London, " which we sent 
out from here to take Port Royal, has sent back a ketch, which 
has arrived this day, with news of the taking of the place. 
On capitulation they have seized six ketches or brigantines, 
loaded with wine, brandy and salt, together with the governor 
and seventy soldiers, and have demolished the fort. They 
have also taken twenty-four very fine pieces of cannon and 
thirty barrels of powder. We expect them hourly. Our fleet, 
which was composed of six vessels, one of which carried forty 
guns, will be re-enforced with a number of strong ships, and 
will be sent with twelve hundred men and some Indians to 
take Canada. I hope it will succeed." f 

In 1696 Gabriel Bernon, son of the refugee, was engaged in 
trade between Boston, Portsmouth and Port Royal with 
Charles de La Tour, who resided at Port Royal. 

De La Tour, in November or Deceuiber of that year, " was 
arrested when about to proceed from Portsmouth to Acadia 



* Rev. Grindal Rawson was the son of Edward Rawson (Secretary of 
State) and the ancestor of John Rawson, who became a resident of Oxford 
(now Webster) in 1774. 

t Sir William Phipps commanded this fleet, and it is said returned to 
Boston, having " obtained considerable booty." 



350 The Records of Oxford. 

or Nova Scotia — just then under British rule — and his sloop 
was condemned as a lawful prize, under charge of having vio- 
lated one of the provisions of the oppressive navigation laws, 
as well as a recent enactment of the colonial legislature of 
Massachusetts, that prohibited all commerce between that 
colony and Nova Scotia. This enactment, which had been in- 
spired by the suspicion that the French — then at war with 
England — obtained supplies at Port Eoyal, bore very heavily 
on the Acadians, who depended so greatly for subsistence upon 
their dealing with New England." 

" You can well see," wrote young Bernon to his father, then 
in England, "from the manner in which this people treat 
us, that it will be impossible for us to hve any longer among 
them without strong recommendation to the governor, who is 
expected soon. They commit the greatest possible injustice 
toward the inhabitants of Acadia ; for whilst they assume to 
take them under their protection, they pass laws that condemn 
them to perish with cold and hunger ; and if they do any thing 
contrary to the interests of the English, they punish them as 
subjects of the king of England."— Bernon Papers* 

II. Queen Anne^s War. 
The peace of Ryswick did not long continue. In 1702 Eng- 
land declared war against France and Spain, and the American 
colonies were engaged in the contest called in America Queen 
Anne's War. After continuing eleven years this was closed 
by a treaty made in 1713 at Utrecht, a town in Holland. 

III. The Spanish War. 

In October, 1739, after some quarter of a century had passed, 
England and Spain were engaged in war with each other. 

During the contest England called upon her American colo- 
nies to furnish soldiers to aid an English fleet, and in captur- 



* Huguenot Emigration, vol. 1, p. 140. 



The Inter-Colonial Wars. 351 

ing Spanish settlements in the West Indies. Four thousand 
men were furnished from the colonies. 

The enterprise terminated disastrously to the English, and 
but a few hundred men ever returned to their homes. 

There is no record of men furnished for this war.* 

IV. King George! s War. 

The Spanish "War of 1739 had merged into King George's 
War. The capture of Louisbnrg, situated on the island of 
Cape Breton, from the French, was the most important event 
of this war, as it commanded the entrance to the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence. 

In the summer of 1745 it was taken by an army from New 
England under command of Sir William Pepperell of Maine, 
aided by an English fleet that sailed from Boston. 

King George's War ended in 1748 by the treaty of Aix-la- 
Chapelle. 

The French held a strong line of posts from the St. Lawrence 
to the mouth of the Mississippi. Tlie French were strongly 
alhed with the Indians, and announced their claims by nailing 
to the trees and sinking in the earth leaden plates bearing the 
arms of France. 

This State contributed forces to the army which laid siege to 
Louisburg. Oxford and the neighboring towns shared in the 
excitement which prevailed in the colonies. April 7, 1745 : 
" This day is a fast day to implore of God his mercy and smiles 
on our expedition to Cape Breton against Louisburg, the 
stronghold of the French on that island." July 18 : A public 
thanksgiving was held "on ye occasion of ye taking of Cape 

* Ebenezer Waters, son of Richard Waters, Esq. , formerly of Salem, 
subsequently of Manchung farm, adjacent to Oxford, now in Sutton, was 
on this expedition under Admiral Vernon, and died at Cuba. At his 
decease a valuable gun belonging to him was returned to his friends, 
and is still retained as a relic with a descendant of the Waters family. 



■?52 The Records of Oxford. 

Breton." On the return of the army to Boston the soldiers 
were received with transports of joy. 

French and Indian War. 

Early in the spring of 1755 General Braddock landed in 
Virginia with two British regiments. He had been appointed 
commander-in-chief of all the forces in the provinces. Four 
expeditions were planned. These were to be sent against Fort 
Duquesne, Nova Scotia, Crown Point and Niagara. 

The force which went against the French on the Ohio was 
led by Braddock himself. Colonel Washington acting as an 
aide-de-camp. The British general was ignorant of Indian 
warfare, yet too self-confident to heed the prudent counsels 
which Washington gave him. When within a few miles of 
Fort Duquesne, his army was surprised July 9 by a small party 
of French, with their Indian allies, and routed with terrible 
slaughter. Braddock was mortally wounded. 

Capt. Ebenezer Learned, a son of Lieut.-Col. Ebenezer 
Learned of Oxford, in 1756, with his company of soldiers, 
marched to the seat of war, and as a part of Col. Ruggles' regi- 
ment was in camp Sept. 9 at Lake George. 

At this time in Oxford there were two companies of militia, 
commanded, respectively, by Edward Davis and Samuel 
Davis, brothers, from both of which soldiers were furnished 
in a new company under Capt. Learned. 

While preparations for the northern expedition were in pro- 
gress Col. Chandler wrote to the authorities at Boston as follows : 

" Worcester, April 22, 1756. 

" The bearer, Capt. Ebenezer Learned, is to have command 
of a company of men in Col. Ruggles' regiment, and as guns 
and stores will be wanted for his company he will engage to 
bring them up if you please. * * * What Learned 
engages to do will be faithfully done." * 
* Massachusetts Archives, LXXV, 536. 



Tlic Inter-Colonial Wars. 353 

The following are the names of soldiers from Oxford : 

Ebenezer Learned, captain ; ElishaRich (Sutton), lieutenant; 
Elijah Towne, sergeant. Privates: Joseph Baker, Solomon 
Smellige, Ebenezer Davis, John Barnes, Elijah Curtis, Heze- 
kiah Eddy, Samuel Manning, Jonathan Eddy, Isaac Learned, 
Jr., Calei) Barton, Jr., Stephen Shuraway, Samnel Baker, 
Josiah Kingsbury, Jr. 

Philip Richardson's company, August, 1750, in Ruggles' 
regiment: Enoch Jones, sergeant; Noah Mclntire; Philip 
Mclntire ; Captain Dresser, Charlton District. 

Tradition states that R.ev. John Campbell was styled " Old 
Col. Campbell " at this time, and was much interested in Capt. 
Learned and his soldiers who left Oxford to join Col. Ruggles' 
regiment stationed at Lake George, and personally had ably 
seconded Capt. Learned by his knowledge of the science of 
military tactics. 

Mr. Campbell was called " as great a swordsman as he was 
a gownsman." He was also a proficient in fencing. 

Fort William Henry taken August 3, 1757. Marquis de 
Montcalm laid siege and compelled its garrison to surrender. 

The prisoners were pi-omised safe escort to the English fort, 
held by Gen. Webb, but the savages fell on them as they be- 
gan their march, and the FVench officers were unable to pre- 
vent them from being plundered, and some of them were 
massacred. The militia of Massachusetts hastened to their 
rescue. 

August 10. Detachments from the two Oxford companies 
marched as far as Sheffield, one hundred and five miles, and 
were out sixteen daj^s. 

First detachment, date of roll, August 18: Edward Davis, 
captain ; John Edwards, lieutenant ; Jeremiah Learned, ensign ; 
Jedediah Barton, sergeant ; Joseph Edw^ards, sergeant ; John 
Town, sergeant ; Phinehas Ward, corporal ; Moses Town, cor- 
poral ; Alexander Nichols, Jacob Comitis, Ebenezer Eddy, 

45 



354 'Tl'-'^ Records of Oxford. 

John Wiley, William Eddy, Joseph Pliillips, Jr.. Israel Phil- 
lips (" detached and sent to Stoekbrid.^e "), Daniel Fairfield, 
John Duncan, Hezekiah Merriam, Jr., Jonathan PhiUips, Silas 
Town, Saninel Lamed, Ebenezer Gale, Jr., Joseph Gleason, 
Samuel Eddy, Jr., Elisha Gleason, Moses Gleason, Jr., Joseph 
Goprgins (" detached and sent to Stockbridge"), Josiah Wol- 
cott, Aaron Parker, Edmund Town, Joseph Pratt, Jesse Pratt, 
Nathan Shumway, David Pratt, privates. 

The second detachment : Samuel Davis, captain ; John 
La rned, captain ; Elisha Davis, sergeant; John Nichols, ser- 
geant; Amos Shumway, sergeant; William Parker, sergeant; 
Jeremiah Shumway, corporal; John Davis, corporal; Thomas 
Town, Isaac Larned, Jonas Coller, John Shumway, William 
Nichols, John Bartor., Jonathan Fuller, Iciiabod Town, Joseph 
Pratt, Jr., Stephen Jewett, Joseph Davis, Benjamin Hudson, 
John Marvin, Isaac Town, Adams Streeter, Arthur Humphrey, 
Peter Shumway, Joseph Kingsbury, Jeremiah Kingsbury, 
Roger Ainidown, Abijah Harris. Zebulon Streeter, John Dana, 
Samuel Manning, John Watson, John Robbins, John Coburn, 
John Shumway, Jr., William Coniins, William Learned, 
Joseph Wilson, John Moore, privates. 

The company were mounted and marched under (Japt. Davis 
to Springfield, and thence to Sheffield under Capt. Larned. 

In October, 1757, Capt. John Larned with twenty-nine men, 
of whom twelve were of Oxford, called the " Minute Expedi- 
tion," marched as far as Westtield, being out from October 20 
to November 11 — three weeks and two days. 

Roll : John Larned, captain ; Jonathan (?) Nichols, heuten- 
ant; Jacob Cummins, sergeant ; Jeremiah Shumway, corporal ; 
Joseph Davis, John Duncan, Ebenezer Fish, Nathan Moore, 
Ebenezer Eddy, William Lamb, John Nichols, Elijah Larned, 
Arthur Humphrey, privates. 

A roll of Capt. Joshua Meriam, North Gore, September 26, 
1758, gives: Joshua Meriam, captain; Uriah Stone, clerk; 



The Inter-Colonial Wars. 355 

Isaac Hartwell, Robert Meriam, Hezeziali Eddy, Elijah Cur- 
tis, Ebenezer Lock, Paul VVheelock, Wheelock, Jonas 

Hammond, Ebenezer Hammond, John Thompson, David 
Wheelock, corporal ; Neliemiah Stone, corporal ; Jesse Smith, 
Elijah Stoddard, Aaron Thompson, Uriah Ward, Simon Morj, 

Zenas Morj, Asa Jones, Malachi Partrige, Peter W n, 

Joseph Parker, Job Weld. 

These were in service 1757, marched to relieve the province 
forts, went to Sheffield, were out eight days and returned. 

Sheffield, August 15, 1757. 
Capt. Merriam — Upon fresh advice from Gen. Webb your 
further Proceeding on your march a]3pears innecessary, and 
the Exigency of the affairs of many of your Company urge 
their Return home. Yon are hereby ordered to march them 
to ye country Gore, all except Zenas Morey, and Discharge 
them unless you Receive Counter orders afterwards, for which 
this shall be your sufficient Warrant. 

Gard'r Chandler, Major. 

Feb. 6, 1760. Capt. Jeremiah Learned' s company includes 
the following : Jeremiah Learned, captain ; Jonathan Holman 
of Sutton, lieutenant ; William Lamb, Samuel Learned, Reu- 
ben Barton, corporals ; David Pratt, Jr., Thomas Eddy, Ed- 
ward Davis, Jr., Hezekiah Meriam, Jr., Samuel Manning, Jr., 
Ebenezer Lamb, privates. All of Oxford. 

This company, most of the members of which were from 
Charlton and Sutton, was in 1760 at Ticonderoga. 

Other Oxford men, known to have been in the service, were : 
Israel Whitney, in Cape Breton expedition, 1745 ; Jonas 
Gleason, Cape Breton expedition, January, 1752; William 
Campbell, in Louisburg expedition, 1758 ; Naphtali Streeter, 
1759 ; Richard Rogers, 1760 ; Edmund Barton, Samuel Call 
(Jacob and Josiah Towne, sons of Jonathan Towne, were at 



356 The Records of Oxford. 

Fort Edward 1755 ; Jacob died at, Fort Edward, and was 
buried in the woods by his brother Josiah. John Streeter died 
November, 1756, at Sheffield), Benjamin Davis (Lieut. Samuel 
Jennison, 1756, not from Oxford). 

On a roll of Oa])t. McFarland's company, February 3, 1761 : 
Abijah Gale, Micah Pratt, Abraham Pratt, Nathaniel Smith, 
Reuben, son of Oliver Shumway, William Lackey and Joseph 
Goggins. All of Oxford. 

1758. A return of men enlisted in John Chandler's regiment 
for the invasion of Canada, under Gen. Amherst : John Boyle, 
Elijah Town, Abraham Pratt, William Lackey, sergeant ; Joseph 
Goggins, Moses Town, Solomon Comings, Samuel Streeter, 
Abijah Gale, John Duncan, Nathan Moore, David Towne, 
John Ballard, Abel Levens, Peter Shumway, Jonathan Phil- 
lips, Elijah Larned, Richard Moore, 3d, Zebulon Streeter. All 
of Oxford. 

In 1759 the following men of Oxford were enlisted in the 
expedition against Crown Point : Samuel Davis, Capt. John 
Learned, Capt, Elisha Davis, Sergt. John Nichols, Sergt. 
Amos Shumway, Sergt. Wm. Parker, Sergt. Jeremiah Shum- 
way, Corp. John Davis, Corp. Ebenezer Learned, Elijah Town, 
John Wiley, Jr., Hezekiah Eddy, Jonathan Eddy, Stephen 
Shumway, Caleb Barton, Jr., Ebenezer Davis, Samuel Mann- 
ing, Solomon Smiledge, Isaac Learned, Jr., John Barnes, Wm. 
Simpson, George Alverson, Caleb Barton, Peter Shumway, 
Elisha Blandin, Francis Blandin, Jonas Blandin, Ezekiel Col- 
ler, Solomon Cook, Ebenezer Robbins, Joseph Philips, Josiah 
Kingsbury, Joseph Bacon, Elisha Ward, Arthur Daggett, 
Elijah Kingsbury. 

On a roll of Capt. NewhalTs company, Leicester, are 
Joseph Goggins, Joseph Kingsbury, Israel Phillips, Zebulon 
Streeter, All of Oxford, 

Joseph Goggins was in Capt. White's company, and served 
through the campaign. 



The hitcr-Colonial Wars. 357 

July, 1758, Canada surreiiJeied. A large fleet aided tlie 
army of Gen. Amherst, who was sent to capture Loiiisburg. 
The fortress was won by the English, The whole island of 
Cape Breton was reduced, for Louisburg, the key of the 
Canadas, was taken. 

In July, 1759, Niagara yielded, and a few weeks later 
Ticonderoga was surrendered and Crown Point abandoned. 

September 13, Gen. Wolfe's victory at Quebec. 

September 6, 1760, Gen. Amherst assembled a large force 
before Montreal, and two days later French dominion in 
Canada ended, and " all that magnificent structure which the 
genius of Champlain and the patient labors of the French 
Jesuits had devotedly raised, vanished." 

In 1755 the expedition against Acadia, or Nova Scotia, cap- 
tured the French forts in that province, and the entire country 
east of the Penobscot became subject to the British authority. 
But this success was disgraced by cruelty. Several thousands 
of these French colonists were accused of disloyalty to the 
English, and were driven on board ships by British soldiers. 
These unfortunate people were taken from their homes, and 
many were separated from their friends never to meet again. 

These French prisoners were scattered throughout the colo- 
nies. Many families came to Worcester county, and some 
were consigned to Oxford and other towns. 

On June 2, 1757, Duncan Campbell of Oxford represented 
to the General Court " that the selectmen of Newton bound 
out to him five cliildren of some of the late inhabitants of Nova 
Scotia ; that on his placing them at Worcester their parents fol- 
lowed them there, and as the result they all went away." Ask- 
ing allowance, on which was voted him 42 shillings, 3| pence. 

In November Mr. Campbell presented another memorial set- 
ting forth that : " Last May session [hej preferred a petition 
to the honorable court that £17, 13s. 4d. might be allowed [him] 
for transporting from Cambridge to Oxford and keeping some 



358 The Records of Oxford. 

French neutrals, * * * from which [lie] hath never re- 
ceived any profit or service, they refusing to work — that upon 
said petition said court was pleased to allow [him] no more 
than 42s. 3^d. — that the honorable board have sent your peti- 
tioner's servants to the town of Dedham, and so he is deprived 
of any service from them until this time, notwithstanding the 
great expense he was put to in maintaining them. * * *" 

He prays he may be allowed the remainder of his account, 
** or that he may have an order from the honorable court to 
take th(tse that were bound to him from Dedham and compel 
them to work." 

The chief item in his bill was for boarding the family at 
Capt. Thomas Sterne's, Worcester. Upon this petition, on 
March 20, 1758, in the House of Representatives, £5, Os. and 
4 pence were ordered paid, but the council non-concurred. 

On August 26, 1757, a warrant was drawn to pay from the 
treasury of the colony £15, fis. 6d. to the selectmen of Oxford 
for the support of " French from Nova Scotia sent there." 

A family named LeBlanc came to Oxford. Supplies from 
March 10, 1758, to May 24, 1759, were furnished them by 
Dr. Alexander Campbell, for which he sent a bill of £21 to the 
Leo'islature. From May, 1759, to March, 1760, Edward Davis, 
Esq., provided for them at an expense of £18. This family, 
father, mother and nine children, later removed to Brinitield. 

A petition had been sent to his excellency, the governor- 
general of the province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, 
and to the honorable gentlemen of the council, that in these 
French families parents and children should not be separated. 
" That houses be provided for each family, so they may keep 
together." 

After the close of the war, in the first regiment, Worcester 
county militia, March, 1763, were officers from Oxford as fol- 
lows; Edward Davis, major; First Oxford Co., Elisha Davis, 
captain ; John Nichols, lieutenant ; William Larned, ensign ; 



The hit er- Colonial Wars. 359 

Second Oxford Co., Jeremiah Learned, captain ; Jedediah Bar- 
ton, lieutenant; John Towne, Ji'., ensign. In 1771: Edward 
Davis, major ; First Oxford Co., Elisha Davis, captain ; 
Ephraim Ballard, first lieutenant; William Watson, second 
lieutenant; Thomas Towne, ensign; Second Oxford Co., 
Joseph Phillips, captain ; Samuel Eddy, lieutenant ; Isaac 
Putnam, ensign. 



JSToTE. — Province of the Massachusetts Bat. 

pence: 
[seal] 



Spencer Phips. Esq. , Ideutenant- Governor and Commander-in- Chief, in 
and over His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, New 
England, etc. 

To Samuel Davis, Gentleman, greeting: 

By virtue of the Power and Authority, in and by His Majesty's Royal 
Commission, to Me granted, to be Lieutenant-Governor over His 
Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay aforesaid, and Commander- 
in-Chief during the Absence of the Captain-General, I do (by these 
Presents), reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty 
Courage and good Conduct, constitute and appoint You, the said Sam- 
uel Davis, to be Second Lieutenant of the Foot Company in the Town of 
Oxford, under the command of Lieut. -Col. Ebenezer Learned, in the 
the first Regiment of Mihtia in the County of Worcester, whereof John 
Chandler, Esq., Colonell. 

You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of 
a Second Lieutenant in leading, ordering and exercising said Company 
in Arms, both inferiour Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good 
Order and Discipline; liereby commanding them to obey you as their 
Second Lieutenant, and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and 
Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from Me, or the 
Comraander-in-Cliief for the Time being, or other your Superiour Officers 
for His Majesty's Service, according to Military Rules and Discipline, 
pursuant to the Trust reposed in You. 

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Boston, the Eighth 
Day of November, In the Twenty-Sixtli Year of the Reign of Hie 
Majesty, King George the Second, Annoq Domini, 1752. 

S. Phips. 

By Order of the Honourable tlie Lieutenant-Governor. 

I. WiLLAKD, Secretary. 



360 The Records of Oxford. 

Note. — Brigadier-General Learned of Oxford, and Col. Jonathan ITo'- 
man of Sutton, had botli been veterans in the British service in 
Canada during the "French War-" It is said that General Learned 
and Colonel Ilolman suffered much while in this service, particularly in 
the vicinity of Lake George and Ticonderoga. 

Holman and Learned each retired from service in the French and 
Indian War with a commission of Major. 

In the French and Indian War Capt. Ebenezer Learned was appointed 
by the Crown to weigh out the gold and silver bullion to make pay- 
ments to the soldiers. 



CHAPTER XXy. 

Revolutionary War. 

The Stamp Act was passed by the Parliament of England in 
1765. 

The Assembly and people of Massachusetts, being regarded 
by the authorities of England as most active in their disloyalty 
to their sovereign, two regiments were sent to Boston. 

The troops arrived in the autumn of 1768, and landing, 
marched into town with offensive parade. 

The following ancient account exhibits the sentiments of the 
people of Boston on their arrival: 

"On Friday, Septr. 30th, 1768, the Ships of War, Armed Schooner, 
Transports, etc., came up the Harbour and Anchored round the Town; 
their cannon loaded, a spring on their Cables as for a regular Siege." 

"At noon on Saturday, October the 1st the fourteenth and twenty- 
ninth Regiments a detachment from the 59th Regt. and train of Ar- 
tillery witli two pieces of Cannons landed on the Long Wharf; there 
Formed and Marched with Insolent Parade, drums beating, tifes play- 
ing, and Colours flying up King Street. Each soldier having received 
16 rounds of Powder and Ball." 

The fleet consisted of ships Beaver, Senegal, Martin, Olascow, Mermaid, 
Roinneij, Launcestoii and Bonetta. 



Revolutionary War. 361 

'The wharf at the right or north of Long wharf is Hancock's wharf; 
the north battery is shown at the extreme right. 

The dedication in the lower right-hand corner is as follows: 
To the Earl of Hillsborough, 

His Majest'. Ser. y of State for America. 
This view of the only well Plan'd Expedition formed for supporting 
ye dignity of Britain and chastising ye insolence of America. 

Humly Inscrib'd. 

A view was taken of part of the town of Boston in New England and 
British ships of war landing their troops 1768. 

Engraved, printed and sold by Paul Revere, Boston.''' 

In September, 1774, the report of various disturbances in 
Boston aroused the whole country. Powder stored in Cam- 
bridge by the patriots was removed to Boston by a detachment 
of troops under orders from Gov. Gage. The people imme- 
diately rushed out in great excitement loudly denouncing the 
act and demanding the restitution of the powder. 

"In the clamor and confusion a report was somehow started 
that the British fleet and garrison had commenced hostilities, 
and swift-footed messengers caught this rumor, and hurried 
with it in various directions. It was afterward asserted that 
this story was sent out by patriot leaders for the express pur- 
pose of showing the British government the temper and spirit 
of the colonies. If this were so they gained their end. The 
rumor flew on three great traveled routes, gaining in flight." 

" Southward, it came to Esquire Wolcott of Oxford, who 
forthwith posted his son John Wolcott, off to Boston, 'to 
learn the certainty,' but receiving further confirmations of the 
great news at Grafton, the young man turned back, and took 
it straightway to Curtis' tavern in Dudley. One Clark, a trader, 
caught it up and hurried it on to his father in Woodstock. 



* One of these engravings (now very rare) is in the possession of George 
W. Sigourney, Esq., a descendant of Capt. Andrew Sigourney of Boston, 
afterward of Oxford. 
46 



3^2 The Records of Oxford. 

Capt. Clark in liot haste bore it on to Captain Keyes of Pom- 
fret, and he at 11 a. m., Saturday, Sept. 3, brought it to Col. 
Israel Putnam. Hitherto the news had gone from mouth 
to mouth like the highland war cry : 

' Boston our Boston is in need ! 
Speed forth the signal : patriots, speed.' 

" But now Putnam gave it a more tangible form by scrawl- 
ing off the following to Capt. Aaron Cleveland of Canterbury : 

" ' Captain Clkveland. — Mr. Keyes has this a. m. brought 
us the news that the Men of War and troops began to fire on the 
people of Boston last night at sunset, when a post was sent im- 
mediately off to inform the country. He informs that the artil- 
lery played all night, that the people are universally (rallied 
from Boston) as far as here in arms, and desires all the as- 
sistance possible. It (alarm) was occasioned by the country 
people's being robbed of their powder from (Boston) as far as 
Framingham, and when found out the people went to take the 
soldiers and six of our people were killed on the spot, and 
several were wounded. Beg yi)u will rally all the forces you 
can and be on the march immediately for the relief of Boston 
and the people that way. — I. P.' 

" ' Fast as hoof could fly ' this was carried to Cleveland, 
countersigned by him, and sent by ex]>ress 'along to Norwich 
and elsewhere.' Reaching Norwich at 4 p. m., it was for- 
warded by Capt. John Durkee, at New London. It was in- 
dorsed by Richard Law, Nathaniel Shaw, and Samuel Parsons, 
and hurried on to New Haven and New York. 

" Gaining credence and fresh signatures at every stopping 
place it speeded southward ; and at nine o'clock Tuesday morn- 
ing, just seventy hours from Pomfret, it was laid before the Conti- 
nental Congress, just assembling in Philadelphia. Thus from 
Boston to Pennsylvania the whole country had been aroused. 
From the great centres the news had spread in every quarter. 



Revolutionary War. 363 

The hour of conflict had come. Boston was attacked and all 
were siunmoned to her relief. Never was rallying cry more 
effective. Coming from Putnam and endorsed by prominent and 
responsible men, it was everywhere received and obeyed. 

" ' To arms,' was the quick response, and thousands hurried 
to the rescue. A thousand men took up arms in the three 
lower counties of Delaware, twenty-thousand were reported en 
route in Connecticut. The summons coming on Sunday it liad 
the effect of putting that Puritan Colony ' into alarm and 
motion on the Lord's day.' Col. Putnam's missive was read 
publicly in most of the congregations, and furnished the text 
for many a stirring exhortation. 

"In many of the more distant towns the messenger brought 
the tidings to the meeting-house in the midst of divine service, 
and worthy members of the church militant left the sanctuary 
for the battle-field. Even ministers were said, to have left their 
pulpits for the gun and drum, and set off for Boston.' In 
Norwich, Putnam's letter was ' printed off, and circulated 
through the town in hand bills,' and on Sunday morning over 
four hundred men, well armed and mostly mounted upon good 
horses, started for Boston under command of Major John 
Durkee. 

"Two hmidred ardent volunteers, well armed and mounted, 
left Windham at sunrise, and bodies of men were despatched 
from all the other towns of Windham County. Putnam hav- 
ing sent the despatch, set out himself with four comrades for 
the scene of action, and had proceeded as far northward as 
Douglas when he heard ' that the alarm was false and Massa- 
chusetts forces returning.' He immediately turned back and 
after a sixty-mile ride reached home at sunrise, and ' sent the 
contradiction along to stop the forces marching or rallying ' 

" The Norwich troops were met seven miles from their town 
with the intelligence via Providence that the report was with- 
out foundation. The Windham men marched on to Massachu- 



364 The Records of Oxford. 

setts line before receiving counter tidings. This revelation 
that tlie great mass of the people were ready to take up arms 
whenever occasion called them greatly cheered the patriot 
leaders, and stimulated them to farther resistance."* 

The report of this uprising excited much interest at home 
and abroad " Words cannot express," wrote Putnam and his 
committee in behalf of live hundred men under arms at Pom- 
fret, " the gladness discovered by every one at the appearance 
of a door being opened to avenge the many abuses and insults 
which those foes to liberty have offered to our brethren in your 
town and province. But for counter intelligence we siiould 
have had forty thousand well equipped and ready to march this 
m .rniiig. Send a written express to the foreman of this com- 
mittee when you have occasion for our martial assistance." 
The rapid transmission of the news was considered very re- 
markable. On Nov, 12 it reached England and the report on 
its reception there comes back to New York on January 20. 

Oxford in the Revolution. 

The proceedings of Oxford during tlie Revolution are a rep- 
resentation of the acts in other towns in the State. 

In almost every town there was a " Committee of Correspon- 
dence, Inspection and Safety," whose office was to give infor- 
malion of the proceedings of the American Congress, the state 
government and that of other towns. 

September 29, 1774, the people of Oxford resolved, " That 
we ever have been, and will be true and loyal subjects of our 
most gracious Sovereign George III, King of Great Britain, so 
long as we are permitted the free execution of our charter 
rights." 

At the same meeting, Yoted, " Dr. Alexander Campbell and 
Capt. Ebenezer Learned to attend the Provincial Congress, at 

* History of Windham County, by Miss Ellen Douglas Learned. 



Revolutionary War. 365 

Concord, on the second Tuesday of October next, or at any 
other town in the province that shall be agreed upon." 

The Continental Congress, which was then in session at 
Philadelphia, resulted in the publication of a " Bill of Rights," 
which was submitted to the people. One article of high practi- 
cal importance w\as the " Non-Importation Compact." They 
agreed, and associated themselves and their constituents, under 
the sacred ties of virtue, honor and the love of liberty, not to 
import or use any British goods after the 1st day of December, 
1774, particularly the article of tea. Committees were to 
be appointed in every place to see that this agreement was 
observed, and those who violated it were to be denounced 
as enemies to the rights of their country.* 

Of the great men who composed this Congress, Lord Chatham 
remarked in the British Parliament as follows : 

" That, though he had studied and admired the free states of 
antiquity — the master spirits of the world — yet, for solidity 
of reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, no 
body of men could stand in preference to this Congress ; in the 
presence of their own peculiar difficulties did not forget the 
cause of suffering humanity, but made, wnth other resolutions, 
one by which they bound themselves, not to be in any way 
concerned in the Slave Trade." 



* In November a meeting was called "to hear some Resolves of the 
Grand Congress,'' and also of the Provincial Congress, and act thereon. 
At this meeting Edward Davis was moderator. Adjourned to Decem- 
ber 16. "Then met" and voted "that the Province Tax in the hands 
of the Constables be paid into the town treasury, and the town will pro- 
tect said Constables," and chose Lieut. William Campbell, Daniel Phil- 
lips and Lieut. Samuel Eddy a committee of inspection to see that the 
association of the Continental Congress be duly observed. These arti- 
cles of association were adopted in Continental Congress October 24, 
1774. By them the members, for themselves and their constituents, 
"under the sacred ties of virtue, honor and love of country," agreed 
not to import or use English goods, not to import or purchase slaves, 



366 The Records of Oxford. 

January 12, 1775, Yotod and chose Col. Ebenezer Learned 
to meet with the Provincial Congress at Cambridge on the first 
day February next, or sooner if needed. 

March 6, 1775, At the town meeting, Yoted, That there shall 
be ten stands of fire arms fixed with bayonets provided by the 
Select men at the cost of the town and kept for those men that 
are not able to find themselves arms. 

" Yoted that we will in all reasonable ways and means whatso- 

or tea brought from the East Indies, but to encourage the growing of 
■wool and the raising of finer breeds of sheep, to favor frugality, economy 
and industry, and promote agriculture, the arts and manufactures 
among the people; to discourage dissipation, horse-racing, gaming, 
shows, etc., to wear no mourning for deceased friends excepting crape 
on the hat, or black ribbons and necklaces for ladies, and to furnish no 
gloves at funerals ; to take no advantage of a scarcity of an article to 
raise the price thereof, and to withdraw fellowship and patronage from 
all who did not adhere to the scales of prices which might be adopted. 
They also recommended that in every State, county and town commit- 
tees be appointed to see that these articles be observed. 

On June 29, 1775, Provincial Congress sent to the towns for army 
supplies thirteen thousand coats, which had been promised, one each to 
tlie eight-months' soldiers. On August 30 the selectmen sent to public 
stores five shirts, five pairs of breeches and nine pairs of stockings. On 
October 16, thirty-seven coats. "As thro' want of flax we could not 
send our proportion of shirts, etc., but we have a prospect of getting 
our proportion of coats sometime in October, that was set upon Oxford." 
"We have provided thirty-seven coats, containing one hundred and 
thirty-nine yards and one-half — making thirty-seven coats, 4s. per coat, 
£7. 8s. Total value, £47. Is. O^d. The average price of cloth was about 
5s. per yard. James Brown, the tailor, cut tliese coats and made twenty. 
Supplies in the line of shoes, stockings, shirts, etc., could not be had 
on contract as at the present day. Requisitions were tlierefore made 
for them on the towns as for men. Some orders sent to Oxford were : 
January 20, 1777, fourteen blankets; June 17, 1778, shoes, stockings 
and shirts — twenty-eight eacli; June, 1779, slioes, stockings and shirts 
— twenty-eight each ; May, 1780, shoes, stockings and sliirts — twenty 
each and ten blankets; June, 1781, shoes, stockings and shirts — nineteen 
each. 



Revolutionary War. 367 

ever strive to maintain our Charter Rights and privileges in all 
constitutional measures even to the risque of our lives and prop- 
erty/' 

May 24, 1775, At a town meeting, chose Edward Davis, 
Esquire to meet with the Provincial Congress at Watertown 
on May 31, for six months as their representative. 

1775, The Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town 
of Oxford duly qualilied to vote and act in Town affairs are 
hereby Required in His Majesty's Name to meet at our Meet- 
ing-house in Oxford on Mondy the 20th day of March current 
at one o'clock afternoon. (The last warrant issued in his 
Majesty's name.) 

October 12, 1776, The style of notice is changed. "The 
freeholders, etc., are notified and vrai-ned, in the name of the 
Government of the people of this State, to meet," etc. 

Oct. 12, 1776, is the date of the transition from the town's 
allegiance to the King of Great Britain to the new government 
of the State, appears. 

Before the intelligence had reached the town of the Declara- 
tion of Independence at Philadelphia, July 4, 

July 8, 1776, Voted : " To advise our representative in the 
General Court, That if the honorable Congress should, for the 
safety of the colonies, declare themselves independent of the 
Kingdom of Great Britain, to concur therewith; and the in- 
habitants of this town do solemnly engage with their lives and 
fortunes, to sustain this measure." 

In 1777, " The town voted to add to the bounty offered by 
the American Congress and this State, the sum of £14 to each 
man who shall enlist in the town as a private soldier for three 
years, or during the war, before an}' draft be made." 

At the same meeting, it was voted " to raise £1,000, to be 
assessed on the polls and real estate in the town, to complete 
the quota of soldiers now sent for to reinforce the Continental 
army." 



368 The Records of Oxford. 

In 1778 the town voted "concurrence with the articles of 
confederation proposed by the American Congress " and at the 
same meeting voted to pay £800 into the State Treasury. 

August 25, 1779, the town cliose Ebenezer Learned, Esq., and 
Ezra Bowman, delegates to the State convention at Cambridge, 
to act in forming a constitution of government for this State, j 

20 Day of October, 1779, Voted to impower the Treasurer 
of the Town of Oxford to borrow a sum of money not exceed- 
ing Four Hundred Pounds for the supply of the soldiers fami- 
lies, and other necessary charges arising in the Town. 

November 8, 1779, Voted that Samuel Harris, Town Treas- 
urer be empowered to Borrow a further Sum of Money not 
exceeding Three Hundred Pounds on the same condition and 
Manner, and for the ends as is expressed in the vote of the 
20th of October Last. 

March 6, 1780, Tlie Town voted and chose Capt. John 
Nichols, Capt. Elias Pratt a committee to Supply the Soldiers' 
Families, and that their expenses shall be made good when 
they receive their pay of the Town. 

March 5, 1781, Chose a committee to provide for the poor, 
and the soldiers families, viz. Capt. John Nichols, Ephraim 
Rnssell, Lt. Levi Davis. 

Supplementing the diiferent installments of aid afforded to 
the families of soldiers in 1780. The town voted to provide 
5960 pounds of beef for the army, August 27, 1781. 

Voted and granted Ninety pounds hard money for to pur- 
chase the beef required of this time by a resolve of the General 
Court, passed June 22, 1781. 

The Committee, Ezra Bowman, Heuben Lamb, John 
Dana, Amasa Kingsbury. 

May 13, 1774, General Thomas Gage, the newly-appointed 
English Governor, arrived in Boston and occupied the town 
with four regiments of British soldiers. 

April 19, 1775, Gov. Gage sent a detachment of British 



Revolutionary War. 369 

soldiers to destroy the military stores at Concord ; and on their 
way occurred the battle of Lexington, from which the opening 
of tlie Revolution may be dated. 

During the early night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere made 
ills now famous ride. Before day-break, that memorable day- 
break of Wednesday, the 19th of April. 

Wednesday, April 19, 1775, Somewhere about nine o'clock 
A. M. the Watertown committee started Israel Bissell to convey 
the news through the country. At noon he entered Worcester 
shouting, " To arms, to arms, the war is begun ! " He had 
ridden thirtj'-six miles ; his white horse bloody with spurring, 
and exhausted, fell as he reached the church door (the old 
south cliurch on the common). Immediately another was pro- 
cured, the Watertown desjDatch was indorsed and Israel Bissell 
was off again, due south for Brooklyn, Connecticut, thirty-eight 
miles more. This for some reason, he only reached at eleven 
the next moi'ning. But General Putnam quiekl}' heard the 
news, left his plow in the furrow, and he too was off. Norwich, 
twenty miles more, was reached at four o'clock p. m. New 
London (thirteen miles) at seven p. m. 

Here he had also reached the Boston post-road, by Provi- 
dence ; but the British had stopped the exit from Boston, and 
he must carry his news to Saybrook (twenty miles more) in 
order to meet the New York rider. At four a. m. of Friday 
he was there. It is one hundred and thirty-seven miles to 
New York. A new rider now mounts (quite possible the 
veteran Hurd whose route it was). That same day at noon he 
was at Branford, seven miles from New Haven. At eight 
o'clock p. M., on Saturda}', Jonathan Sturges signed this des- 
patch at Fairfield; Sunday the twenty-third at noon, Isaac Low 
signed it at New York and at four v. m. forwarded it to 
Philadelphia.* 

* This f5rst Revolutionary despatch is now in the Historical rooms at 
Philadelphia. 

47 



370 The Records of Oxford. 

The intelligence of the breaking out of hostilities was imme- 
diately followed by circulars from the Massachusetts committee 
of safety, calling out the militia. 

April 20. One addressed to the towns urged them " to 
hasten and encourage by all means the enlistment of men to 
the army," to send them forward without delay. "Our all," 
it reads, " is at stake. Death and devastation are the certain 
consequences of delay. Every moment is infinitely precious. 
An hour lost may deluge your country and entail ]>erpetual 
slavery upon the few of your posterity that may survive the 
carnage." 

Before thirty days had passed after the battle of Lexington, 
Oxford and the towns in the immediate vicinity had raised a 
full regiment of ten companies, all volunteers, and they were on 
the march to the battle-tield. 

In 1775, soon following the battle of Lexington, Colonel 
Ebenezer Learned, with his regiment, reported for service at 
Cambridge, and with Colonels Prescottand Warren, was ordered 
to join General Thomas at Koxbury, where they arrived more 
than two months before "Washington came to take command of 
the army. 

May, 1775. The following enrollment and organization of the 
reo-iment of Col. Ebenezer Learned is from Force's Archives, 
Vol. 11, 4:th series, p. 823 : 

"Col. Learned's regiment: J. Danforth Keys, Lieut. Col- 
onel ; Jonathan Hollman, Major ; Barrister, Adjutant 

Captains : Peter Harwood, Adam Martin, John Granger, Joel 
Greene, Samuel Billings, William Campbell, Arthur Daggett, 
Nathaniel Nealey, Samuel Curtis, Isaac Bolster. Lieutenants 
Asa Danforth, Abel Mason, Matthew Gray, David Prouty, 
Barnabas Lean, Reuben Davis, Jonathan Carrier, Salem Town, 
Samuel Learned, John Hasel ton. Ensigns: Ben jamin Pollard, 
Benjamin Felton, Stephen Gorliam, Thomas Fisk, John How- 
ard, William Powdry," 



Revolutionary War. 371 

"In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 23d, 1775. 

" Resolved that commissions be given to the officers of Col. 
Learned's regiment agreeable to the above list." 

Soon after the arrival of Col. Learned's regiment at Roxbury 
occurred the famous battle of Bunker Hill, " all of which it savsr 
a part of which it was," although it was not actually engaged in 
the tight on the hill. It formed a part of the right wing of 
the army, under the command of Gen. John Thomas, which 
was stretched round from Dorchester, through Roxbury, to Bos- 
ton line, to prevent the enemy from breaking through and 
making a flank movement. 

This regiment enlisted for eight months ; from May 1, 1775, 
till January 1, 1776. The regiment was in service in and 
around Boston. When their time expired the men were regu- 
larly discharged. 

The battle of Bunker Hill took place June 17, 1775. 

In the victory to the Americans the British were dispirited, 
who had boasted that a few regiments could conquer the whole 

country.* 

Gen. Washington left Philadelphia June 2 1, 1775, to assume 
command of the American army at Cambridge. At New York 
he received news of the battle of Bunker Hill. At Brookfield, 
July 1, he was met by a company of horsemen from Worcester, 
commanded by Capt. James Chad wick, who escorted him into 

town. 

Dec. 10, 1775, "On Sunday last the lady of his excellency 
General Washington, and the lady of General Gates, with their 
attendants, passed through this town (Worcester) on their way 
to Cambridge." 

General Washington, as commander-in-chief arrived in Bos- 
ton July 2, 1775, after the battle of Bunker Hill, and 

* There is at the Town Hall in Oxford a canaon ball of tweuty-four 
pounds weight, brought by Col. Ebeuezer Learned as a relic from the 
battle-field of Bunker Hill. 



372 TJie Records of Oxford. 

reached Cambridge, tlie headquarters of the American army. 
He found there a large body of Provincials not accustomed 
to disciplined warfare, destitute of arms and ammunition. 
He at once commenced organizing the soldiers and subjecting 
them to mihtary service. And the Provincial allies became the 
Continental Army. 

Washington erected a line of batteries frotn Winter Hill 
near Mystic river, through Cambridge, Brookline and Roxbury 
as far as Dorchester Heights. He held the British forces be- 
sieged in Boston until March, when they set sail for Halifax 
and the war was transferred to other States. 

Thomas and Jonathan Amory with Peter Johonnot who 
have at the earnest entreaties of the inhabitants through the 
Lieutenant-Governor, solicited a flag of truce for this purpose. 

John Scolley, 
Timothy Newall, 
Thomas Marshall, 
Samuel Austin. 

This paper was received at the lines at Roxbury by Ool. 
Learned who carried it to headquarters ; and in return, the next 
day, wrote to tlie messengers as follows : 

Roxbury, March 9, 1776. 
Gentlemen: — Agreeably to a promise made to you at the 
lines yesterday, I waited upon his excellency General Wash- 
ington, and presented to him the paper handed to me by you 
from the selectmen of Boston. The answer I received from 
him was to this effect : " That, as it was an un authenticated 
paper, without an address, and not obligatory upon General 
Howe, he would take no notice of it." I am with esteem and 
respect, gentlemen. 

Your most obedient servant, 

Ebenezer Learned. 
To Messers Amory and Johonnot. 



Revolutionary War. 373 

Tiie British co'.iiinander was now reduced to the aUernative 
of either dislodging "Washington's forces or the evacuation of 
the place. 

The British General, Lord Howe, then resolved to evacu- 
ate the towns without delay. He coniuienced very early in the 
morning of Sunday, March 17th, the embarkation of his army. 
About nine o'clock the garrison left Bunker Hill. Two men 
were sent forward to reconnoitre, found the fortress was left 
in charge of wooden sentinels, and immediately gave the joy- 
ous signal that it was evacuated. 

A detachment soon took possession of it. General Putnam 
ordered another detachment to march forward and take posses- 
sion of Boston, while the remainder of the troops returned to 
Cambridge. 

Meanwhile General Ward arrived with about five hundred 
troops from Roxbury, under the immediate command of Col- 
onel Ebenezer Learned of Oxford.* 

Col. Learned, accompanied by a crowd of loyalist refugees, 
marched in through the deserted gates, having unbarred them 
with his own hands. 

After the evacuation Learned, with his command, remained 
about two weeks on the highlands south of the town, where he 
could observe the movements of the British fleet. On March 
20 Gen. Greene issued the following order: "Col. Learned 
is directed to man six whale boats every night while the enemy 
remain in the harbor, whose duty it is to row about and make 
discoveries of any movement of the enemy, that the garrison 
may be apprised thereof." On April 2 Learned and his regi- 
ment were relieved from duty at Dorchester Point, and were 
soon after ordered with the main body of the army to the 
defence of New York. 

As soon as the British fleet had put to sea, the American 
army proceeded by divisions to Nesv York, where it arrived 
April 14. The disastrous affair of Long Island, August 27. 

* Army Record. 



374 T^^^^ Records of Oxford. 

Washington withdrew his forces from the island April 28, 
at night. Soon afterward he removed his army to Harlem 
Heights in the northern part of New York island. Washing- 
ton was obliged to evacuate New York on Sept. 15, then to 
Kingsbridge the army moved toward White Plains, and here 
took place the battle of White Plains. Washington then 
changed his position. Fort Washington on York island was 
taken and its garrison made prisoners. Washington then re- 
treated to New Jersey. Then followed the battles of Prince- 
ton and Trenton. In July, 1777, Gen. Howe embarked his 
forces and proceeded against Philadelphia. 

Sept. 10, the battle of Brandywine was fought and the 
Americans defeated. 

Sept. 26, 1777, Lord Howe entered Philadelphia with his 
army. While the British were in the possession of Philadelphia 
Washington endeavored to cut off their supplies for the army. 

Washington then distributed his soldiers into winter quarters 
at Yalley Forge. In June, 1778, the British evacuated Phila- 
delphia, the position being considered dangerous by the posi- 
tion France was about to take in the war. 

At the siege of Yorktown, Sept. 28, to October 9, 1781, 
Lord Cornwallis surrendered. 

After the battle of Bunker Hill Col. Learned received in- 
juries at Roxbury which disabled hiui from service for a time. 

In April, 1777, he was commissioned a Brigadier-General in 
the northern army.'^ 

The Batile of Bemis Heights, Sept. 19, 1777. 

General Gates made preparations for resistance. Brave offi- 
cers and determined soldiers in high spirits were gathered 
around him, and the latter were hourly increasing in numbers. 
The counsels of General Schuyler and the known bravery of 
General Arnold were at his command and he felt confident of 
victory, aided by such men as Poor, Learned, Stark, Whipple, 

* From Boston Records. 



Revolutionary War. 375 

Paterson, Warner, Fellows, Baily, Glover, Wolcott, Bricketts 
and Tenbroeck with their full brigades. 

General Arnold resolved to do what he conld with those 
under his command, which consisted of General Learned's 
brigade and New York troops. Arnold led the van of his men 
and fell upon the foe. By voice and action he encouraged his 
troops, but the overwhelming numbers of the enemy for a time 
repulsed them. It was now three o'clock in the afternoon ; for an 
hour the Americans had disputed the ground inch by inch, but 
the crushing force of superior numbers pressed them back to 
their lines. Both armies retained their position until October 7. 
The British general determined to make one more trial of 
strength with his adversary. 

Neilson in describing this battle of September 19, says: 
" Toward the close of the day Gen. Learned's brigade and 
another regiment were })rincipally engaged on a rise of ground, 
west of the cottage (Freeman's), with the British grenadiers 
and a regiment of British infantry, and bravely contested the 
ground till night." 

On September 26 Gen. Gates issued the following: 
" The public business having so entirely engaged the Gen- 
eral's attention that he has not been properly at leisure to 
return his grateful thanks to Gen. Poor's and Gen. Learned's 
brigades, to the regiment of Riflemen, Corps of Light Infan- 
try, and Col. Marshall's regiment for their valiant behavior in 
the action of the 19th inst., which will forever establish and 
confirm the reputation of the Arms of the United States." 

The Battle of Saratoga.* 
The following account of this brilliant affair of October 7, 



* Sir Edward Creasy, "M. A.,!in a book published in London, in 1872 and 
entitled the Fourteen Decisive Battles of the World, from Marathon to 
Waterloo, singled out the battle of Saratoga as the decisive battle of the 
Revolution. 



376 The Records of Oxford. 

1777, is given in Thatcher's Military Journal, published in 
New York at the time. 

*' I am fortnnate enough to obtain from our officers a particu- 
lar aeconnt of the glorious event of the 7th inst. 

" The advanced parties of the two armies came into con- 
tact at two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, and immediately 
displayed their hostile attitude. The Americans soon ap- 
proached the royal army, and each party in defiance awaited 
the deadly blow. The gallant Colonel Morgan at the head of 
his faraons rifle corps, and Major Dearborn, leading a detach- 
ment of infantry, commenced the action with such intrepidity, 
that the works were carried and their brave commander Colonel 
Breyman was slain. 

" The Germans were pursued to their encampment, which, 
with all the^eqnipageof the brigade, fell into our hands. Night- 
fall ])ut a stop to our brilliant career though the victory was 
most decisive, and it is with pride and exultation that we re- 
count the triumph of American bravery. 

" This was indeed a signal victory." 

The troops of Poor and Learned marched steadily up the 
gentle slope of the eminence on which the British grenadiers * 
and ])art of the artillery under Ackland and Williams were 
stationed, and true to their orders not to fire until after the first 
discharge of the enemy, pressed on in awful silence towards the 
batallions and batteries. 

Arnold assaulted the works occupied by the light infantry 
under Earl Balcarras, and at the point of the bayonet drove the 
enemy from a strong abatis, through which he attempted to force 
his way into the camp. He was obliged to abandon the effort, 
and dashing forward to the right flank of the enemy, exposed 
to the cross fire of the contending armies, he met Learned's 
brio-ade advancing to make an assault upon the British works 
at an opening in the abatis between Balcarras' light infantry 

* The grenadiers were the flower of the British army. 



Revolutionary War. 377 

and the German right flank defense under Col. Breyman. The 
Germans, who fled, flnding the assault general, threw down their 
arms and retreated to tlie interior of the camp, leaving their 
commander, Col. Breyman, mortally wounded. Burgoyne en- 
deavored to rally the panic-stricken Germans. 

Perscmal differences with Gates had led to Arnold's removal 
from command since the battle of the 19th., and he had remained 
in camp, and though without any regular command, Arnold was 
the animating spirit in the last conflict. Gates sent an aid to 
recall him. " But Arnold, keeping out of the way of the mes- 
senger, placed himself at the head of one brigade, and then 
another, and led them on with a reckless daring, to attack the 
enemy, with good judgment and undaunted courage. The 
British line was already breaking as he entered the field. 
Under his impetuous assaults with Patterson and Glover's brig- 
ades, and then w'ith Learned'e, the enemy gave way everywhere 
in confusion."* 

The Hessians received tlie first assault of Arnold's brigades 
upon the British centre with a brave resistance, but when upon 

* "Arnold rode to the front of Learned's brigade, which had been so 
recently under his command, and dashed into the fight. He was cheered 
as he rode past, and like a whirlwind the regiments went with him upon 
the broken British lines. Fraser fell mortally wounded in this assault, 
and swiftly behind the half-crazy volunteers came Ten Broeck with a 
force nearly double that of the whole British line. That line was now 
in full retreat. Phillips and Reidesel, as well as Burgoyne, in person 
exhibited marvellous courage in an hour so perilous, but nothing 
could stop Arnold; wheresoever he found troops he assumed command, 
and by the magnetism of his will and passion he became supreme in 
daring endeavor. With a part of the brigades of Patterson and Glover 
he assaulted the intrenchments of Earl Balcarras, but was repulsed. To 
the right of Balcarras the Canadians and Royalists were posted under 
cover of two stockade redoubts. There again Arnold met Learned's 
brigade, took the lead, and with a single charge cleared these works, 
leaving the left of Breyman's position entirely exposed." — Notes of Gen. 
Carrington. 

48 



3/8 The Records of Oxford. 

a second charge he dashed furiously among them at the head 
of his men, they broke and fled in dismay. Gen. Fraser was 
killed. Burgoyne now took command in person, but could not 
keep up the sinking courage of the men. The whole line gave 
way and fled precipitately within the intrenchments of the 
camp. 

At length " the Americans press forward with renewed 
strength and ardor, and compel the whole British line, com- 
manded by Burgoyne himself, to yield to their deadly tire, and 
they retreat in disorder. The German troops remain firmly 
posted at tlieir lines; these were now boldly assaulted by Briga- 
dier-General Learned and Lieutenant-Colonel Brooks at the head 
of their respective commands. 

'' Here General Leai-ned, mounted on his powerful horse, 
which at first refused to proceed, was forced by soldiers on with 
his rider through the opening of the abatis filled with the dead 
and wounded."* 

Gen. Wilkinson, who was Gates' adjutant, and on the field, 
Bays : 

*' About sunset I perceived Gen. Learned advancing tt»ward 
the enemy with his brigade in open column * * * when 
I rode up to him. On saluting this brave old soldier he in- 
quired, ' where can I put in with most advantage f ' I had 
particularly examined the ground between the left of the Ger- 
mans and the light infantry, occupied by provincialists, from 
whence I had observed a slack fire. I therefore recommended 
to Gen. Learned to incline to his right, and attack at that 
point ; he did s«) with gre;it gallantry ; the provincialists aban- 
doned their position and fled ; the German flank was by this 
means uncovered ; tliey were assaulted vigorously, overturned 
in five minutes and retreated in disorder, leaving their com- 
mander, * * * Breyman, dead on the field. The night 

*ReiniDi8cence8 of David Stonfe, who was in service under Qen. Learned. 



Revolutionary War. 379 

was now closing in. The victory of the Americans was 
decisive." 

Before dawn Bnrgoyne removed the whole of his armj' camp 
and artillery, meditating a retreat to Fort Edward. On the 
morning of the 8th of October the Americans took possession 
of tile evacuated British camp. Burgoyue on the 9th of Octo- 
ber quietly retreated to Saratoga. Gates followed the enemy. 
Morgan, Poor and Learned threatened their rear on the west. 
Burgoyne sent a flag of truce to the American commander. 

Extracts fkom a Letter of Rev. Joseph Bowman of Oxford, 

DATE October 23, 1777, to Brigadier-General Learned, 

" In ye Northern Army." 

" The most particular accounts, yt we have had of affairs in 
your quarter yt we could depend upon have been in your let- 
ters to Mrs. Learned, one of which was published in ye Wor 
cester Paper; viz yt wliich gave an account of an action of y 
19th of Sept. I do not know how it is, but seems yt our print- 
ers have no correspondence in y Army & consequently few 
particulars and those collected from one, and another, are vague 
and uncertain & sometimes unintelligible and some accounts 
contradicted by others so yt we knew not what to believe. 

"Most of ye intelligence tliat I rely upon has come from 
you by y way of Mrs. Learned this summer ; and I hope you 
will continue to give as circumstantial an account of things as 
you can as I shall still hope to gain some knowledge by yt 
means thro' her kindness, even tho' you should not write to me 
in particular which would be peculiarly acceptable if you could 
find leisure time enough for such a thing, amidst a multitude 
of care and Business which I know must lie upon your hands 
your family and friends here are all well. Sylvanus has got 
Bravely again and thinks of Returning to you soon please to 
give my love to all our oxford Friends with you when you 
shall see them, and you may tell them that their Friends here 



380 The Records of Oxford. 

are all well it has been remurkably healthy with us this summer 
past and fall hitherto ye season has been good and very fruitful 
we have plentiful crops (thro Divine goodness) tho' every 
thing is excessive dear our privateers bring in many prizes tho' 
not so many as they ilid last year from ye Southward we have 
had various reports since ye battle at Brandywine sometime yt 
General How has got Philadelphia at others that he has not. 
"yt action of y 19th of Sept. you gave us ye most particular 
account of than any yt we have had but yt of y 7th Instant, 
your account is general & short, I was about to have added 
something further, but having just now received authentic in- 
telligence of a most important Event viz ye surrender of ye 
whole British Army commanded by General Burgoyne to ye 
American forces 1 therefore stop short to congratulate you on 
this most singular, important and happy Event may all our 
hearts be tilled with a grateful sense of ye Divine goodness in 
this nost interesting affair and may we have grace to ascribe 
unto ye Lord of Hosts ye God of Armies all ye praise and 
glory yt is Due to His Great Name and may we never forget 
His Benefits." 

Note. — Gen. Learned's Letter. 

"Stillwater, Sept. 25, 1777. 

" Ou Thursday the 18th instant marched about 4 miles at 5 o'clock 
A. M. in order to attack the enemy on the right flank on their march ; 
but they not marching according to expectation prevented our doing 
any thing of considerable consequence. 

" We attacked a small party about 60 or 70 rods from the enemy's 
front, killed some, said to be five or six, took and sent in tliat day, as I 
was informed after my return, 36 prisoners. We all returned about 
sunset, without the loss of one man killed or wounded. 

"The next day (September 19th), we were early alarmed, being in- 
formed the enemy were on their march towards our Camp. Agreeable 
to a result of Council of War, the Riflemen and Infantry from the left 
of our army went and attacked the Enemy's right Wing, or rather their 
front guard about 5 minutes before one o'clock. The enemy gave way, 



Rci'ohitiofiary War. 381 

we took some prisoners. The enemy reinforced, wliicli cmised iis to do 
the same; which was alternately done by the enemy and on our part of 
the Army till the battle became almost General between the Enemy and 
our Division. 

"I was ordered to send out one Regiment at first, and the rest in suc- 
cession, except the last. — I then received orders to march to the attack. 
We marched on briskly and came up to the Enemy's right wing, which 
was endeavoring to surround our left. A most severe fire lasted till the 
cover of the night prevented further action. We went back to our 
camp, and the enemy have encamped near the ground wliere the battle 
was fought. We are near neighbors. Our lines and those of the enemy 
are but about a mile and a quarter from each other. Both armies are 
fortifying, but time only can determine the further event. The effect 
of this battle is that we have lost two Lieut. -Colonels killed, with a 
number of other officers of different ranks. In the whole our killed, 
wounded iind missing are about 318. By the best accounts the enemy's 
loss, killed and wounded, amounts to a thousand. These are facts. 
Capt. Wiley is wounded. Our army are in high spirits. We took 
eighty on the day of battle. 

P. S. — On the day of battle, and since, two of our Captains were 
taken Prisoners, also one Lieut, and 27 privates. This is an exact ac- 
count of the Prisoners sent by Burgoyne to Gen. Gates, each man's name 
specified in the list." 

Note. — In the Massachusetts Sj^y of October 16, 1777, Isaac Pratt gave 
notice that he was about to start for the army, and would carry letters 
and bring returns at one shilling postage. 

General Learned was esteemed a brave and humane soldier. 
He survived the Revolution about twenty years, and was much 
honored after his retirement from the army. 

It is said that in personal appearance General Learned was 
tall and strongly built, being six feet and two inches in height, 
" his frame being capable of enduring great fatigue. His 
countenance expressed gentleness and calmness, and yet there 
were depicted dignity and command. He was endowed by na- 
ture with a sound judgment and discerning mind. 

" His step and bearing were peculiar to himself, his tread was 



382 The Records of Oxford. 

heavy aud ineabured. In convensatioii all were impressed with 
awe ill his presence. General Learned was a judge of a horse 
and rode a very good one in his army campaigns. In the 
Revolutionary War he rode a high- mettled young black iiorse 
of wonderful endurance. His fine appearance on horseback, with 
his calm courage, and with the peculiar tread of the horse 
was ever recognized by the soldiers in the distance." 

In the War of the Revolution, Captain Jeremiah Kings- 
bury's company from Oxford was included in Colonel Jona- 
than Holman's regiment, Massachusetts Fifth, or tiie Sutton 
regiment. 

Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury's company. Col. Jonathan Hol- 
man's regiment, Providence, January 20, 1777, roll : Jeremiah 
Kingsbury, captain ; Silas Town, lieutenant ; Jonas Pratt, 
Levi Davis, Jonas Eddy, Allen Hancock, sergeants; William 
Hudson, John Pratt, Amos Shumway, Ebenezer Shumway, 
corporals ; Zaccheus Ballard, John Rawson, Joseph Kingsbury, 
John Allen, John Larned, Josiah Shumway, Curtis Dixon, 
Sampson Marvin, John White, Amos Wakefield, Thomas 
Wolcott, Jesse Gleason, Nathan Pratt, Reuben Eddy, Jona- 
than Coolidge, Elisha Town, Sylvanus Learned, Jesse Pratt, 
Jesse Merriam, Samuel Stone, Joseph Sparhawk, Aaron Par- 
ker, Jonathan Merriam, Jonas Davis, Benjamin Hovey, Wil- 
liam Lamb. Time in camp, forty-three days. 

A detachment of this company was again in service when 
the " Militia " marched to reinforce Gen. Gates' army. 

Sept. 27, 1777, the following men from Oxford were members 
of Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury's company and Colonel Jonathan 
Holman's regiment : 

Jeremiah Kingsl)ury Capt., John Ballard, Lieut., Ebenezer 
Coburn, Sergt., Ilaynes Learned, Sergt., Jonas Eddy, Corp., 
Allen Hancock, Corp., John Learned, Aaron Parker, Joshua 
Pratt, Joseph Rock wood, Joshua Merriam, William Nichols, 
Nathan Pratt, John Rawson, Ambrose Stone, Jonas Davis, 



Revolutionary War. 383 

David Stone, Ambrose Fitts, Amos Shnmway, Anthony Si- 
gourney. 

The following served nine months in 1778, in Captain 
Jeremiah Kingsbnry's company and Colonel Holman's regi- 
ment : 

Jeremiah Kingsbury, Capt., Eleazer Stockwell (or Stowell), 
David Chamberlain, Uriah Carpenter. 

The regiment was then honorably discliarged from service.* 

The following men belonged to the com])any commanded by 
Capt. William Campbell in Col. Ebenezer Learned' s regiment, 
and marched to Cambridge April, 1775 : William Campbell, 
Capt., Thomas Fish, Lieut., Jolm Campbell, Sergt., Sylvester 
Town, Seigt., James Learned, Corp., Abner Shnmway, Drum., 
Abraham Mansfield, Timothy Sparhalk, Paul Thurston, Samuel 
Baker, John Fessenden, Josiah Eddy, Moses Kneeland (or 
Knowland), Negro Will, Moses Coburn, Jonathan Marsh, 
Thomas Bogle, Frost Rockwood, Daniel Sabins, John Hudson, 
Thomas McKnight, Jason Collar, Arthur Humphrey, David 
Dana Town, James Hambleton Parker, John Conant, William 
Bogle, William Foster, Richard F^errars. 



* Another regiment was soon organized, called the Massachusetts 
Fifth or Sutton regiment, composed of men coming from Sutton, 
Oxford, Sturbridge, Charlton and Dudley, including adjacent lands, 
and placed under the command of Col. Jonathan Holman of North 
Sutton. 

The following entry is found in the journal of the Massachusetts 
Council, Feb. 7, 1776: "In the House of Representatives: The house 
made choice by ballot of the following gentlemen for field officers 
of the Fifth Regiment of IMilitia, in tlie county of Worcester, 
viz. : 

"Jonathan Holman of Sutton, Colonel, Daniel Plympton, Lieut.- 
Colonel, William Learned of Oxford, First Major, Jacob Davis of 
Charlton, 2nd Major. 'In council: Road and concurred.' This regi- 
ment was known and styled as the Sutton regiment.'' 

"The Sutton regiment was included in the army of Gen. Wash- 



384 ^/<f^ Records of Oxford. 

The following belonged to Capt. John Town's company and 
marched to Cambridge, April 19, 1775 : John Town, Capt., 
Daniel Hovej, Lieut., Tliomas Fish, Lieut., Richard Ferrars, 
Sergt., Samuel Manning, Sergt., Arthur Humphrey, Corp., 
Phineas Allen, William Foster, Joshua Turner, Allen Hancock, 
John Hudson, Robert Manning, Elias Pratt, Ebenezer Slium- 
way, John Ballard, William Bogle, John Campbell, Daniel 
Sabin, Abijah Harris.Tiinothy Sparhawk, David Dana Town, 
James Pratt, Jr., Ilaynes Learned, Abraham^Mansfield (Merri- 
field) Amasa Allen, Samuel Baker, Anthony Sigourney. 

" The two companies commanded by William Campbell, 
Captain, and John Town, Captain, include many of the same 
men. It would appear that the two companies were merged 
and the rolls at the State House from which the above lists 
have been copied taken at different times." 

The list of men here given has been obtained from the otiice 
for the payment of pensions to Revolutionary soldiers atid from 
the recollection of the aged inhabitants of the town : 

Brig. -Gen. Ebenezer Learned, Capt. William Moore, Capt. 

ington at Cambridge. Soon following the evacuation of Boston 
they marched with him first to Rhode Island, where they were sta- 
tioned .some two or three months, from thence proceeding to Long 
Island, where they were in an engagement with the enemy; thence 
up the Hudson river to White Plains, where the American army had a 
severe battle, in which this same Sutton regiment bore a distinguished 
part. 

" After the battle of White Plains the Sutton regiment, under Col. 
Holmau, was ordered to Bennington, Vermont, where it remained 
several montlis to guard the country against Gen. Burgoyne's army. 
After the famous battle of Bennington, the regiment of Col. Hol- 
man was next ordered to join the army of Gen. Gates near Sara- 
toga. In the battle that ensued. Col. Holman's regiment was ac- 
tively engaged, and that they acquitted them.'^elves bravely may 
be justly inferred from the fact that after the battle this regiment 
was designated "to take possession of Fort Edward, and to hold 
it, until the dispersion of Burgoyne's army, which they did."' 



Revolutionary War. 385 

John Nichols, Lieut. Benjamin Vassal!, Lieut. Ebenezer Hum- 
phrey, Lieut. Jacob Town, Jason Collier, David Lamb, Frost 
Rockwood, Ebenezer Pray, William Simpson, George Alverson, 
Caleb Barton, John Learned, David Town, Allen Hancock, 
Peter Shnmway, Abijah Kingsbury, Joseph Hurd, James 
Merriam, Elisha Blandin, Francis Blandin, Jonas Blandin, 
Sylvanus Learned, Arthur Daggett, Elisha Ward, David Stone, 

Ebenezer Robbins, Sewall, Sylvester Town, Levi Davis, 

Elijah Learned, Richard Coburn, Jacob Learned, Silas Eddy, 
Solomon Cook, Elijah Kingsbury, Ezekiel Collier. 

In May there was a reorganization of troops. William 
Campbell, previously in Capt. Craft's cavalry company, Stur- 
bridge, was made captain of the Oxford company, and the fol- 
lowing additional names appear that year on its rolls : Sylvanus 
Town, sergeant, from Craft's company, Abner Shnmway, 
drummer, Moses Coburn, Jonathan Marsh (S. Gore), Thomas 
Bogle (took the place of Asa Larned, discharged), Frost Rock- 
wood, Tliomas McKnight, Jason Coller, James H. Parker, 
John Conant, John Fessenden, Josiah Eddy, Moses Know- 
land (S. Gore), Paul Thurston, from Craft's company, Will 
(a negro, servant of Campbell ['•!], discharged Oct. 5, 1775). 

In Col. Learned's regiment, April, 1775, were also in Craft's 
company of cavalry, Sturbridge, William Campbell, lieutenant 
Levi Davis, Joseph Hurd, Sylvanus Town, Paul Thurston, 
John Walker, William Moore. 

In Capt. Curtis' company, 1775, Robert Manning, corporal 
(transferred from Town's company), Stephen Griffith, cor- 
l>oi-al, died July 31, 1775 ; Daniel Griffith, Isaac Pratt, Joseph 
Streeter, Moses Town, Elias Town, John Mellen, Samuel 
Learned, Phinehas Allen, Benjamin Edw^ards. 

In Capt. Healey's company, 1775, William Moore, sergeant, 
transferred from Craft's company, Curtis Dixon, Aaron Wake- 
field, Amos Wakefield. 

In Capt. Green's company, October, 1775, Asa Meriam, 

49 



386 The Records of Oxford. 

Samuel Stone. At Dorchester, 1775, for three months, in 
Dike's regiment, Richardson's company, Ebenezer Fish, Sam- 
uel Kingsbury. 

In Tyler's regiment, Ferrer's company, December, 1776, 
Daniel P'isk. 

The following enlisted early in 1777 for three years or dur- 
ing the war; Benjamin Wakefield, Josiah Eddy, corporal, 
John Hudson, corporal, Joseph Cody, corporal, Peter Shum- 
way, drummer, Moses Knowland, Richard Moore, William 
Jordan, David Town, all in Capt. Moore's Co. In Webb's 
company, Sylvanus Learned, sergeant, Noah Harkins, sergeant, 
John Harvey, David Manning. 

Jesse Stone, of Oxford, was captain of a company which 
marched on the "Bennington Alarm," and was out from July 19 
to August 29, 1777. There were no Oxford men in the ranks. 

The following served three months in 1776 in the company 
commanded by Jonathan Carriel and Colonel Josiah Whitney's 
regiment : Sampson Marvin, Corp., Wm. Jordan, Jedediah 
Blaney, Richard Moore, Moses Town, Elislia Town, Amos Put- 
nam, Moses Knowland, 

Elisha Livermore served as a bombardier three months in 
1776 in Captain William Todd's and Colonel Craft's artillery 
regiment. Nathaniel Wyman, in the same year, served a little 
over a month in Captain Aaron Guild's company and Colonel 
Whitney's regiment. 

The following served in Dorchester in 1778 in Captain 
March Chase's company in Col. Nathan Sparhawk's regiment : 
Jesse Hill, Isaac Anibell, David Smith. 

The following were drafted in 1778: Jonathan Fuller, John 
Jewell, Eleazer Stowell. 

The following served six months in 1779 in Captain Thomas 
Fish's company and Col. Nathan Tyler's regiment in Rhode 
Island : Thomas Fish, Captain, Ebenezer Coburn, Lieut., Abisha 
Shumway, Jacob Weeks, Samuel At wood. 



Revolutionary War. 387 

The following served six months in the Continental army 
1780: Thomas Walcott, Samuel White, James At wood, Samuel 
Wiley, Elisha Town, Jacob Nichols, Jacob Winslow, Moses 
Baker, Joseph Atwood, Benjamin Turner, Noah Dodge, David 
Town, Samuel Kelly. 

The following served three months in 1T81 in Capt. Keuben 
Davis' company and Col. Luke Drury's regiment : William 
Tucker, Corp., John M. Jewell, James Atwood, Ebenezer 
Stone, Phinehas Jones, Jonas Cummings, 

Lemuel Cudworth served in Rhode Island in 1781, in Captain 
Joseph Elliot's company and Colonel William Thomas' regi- 
ment. 

The following enlisted in 1781 to serve three years in the 
Continental army : Sylvanns Learned, Sergt., Noah Hoskins, 
John Harvey, David Manning. 

Besides the above the following Oxford men were in the 
service at various times : Nathan Atwood, Elijah Shumway, 
John Brown, Benjamin Rider, Adams Sulley, William Stowell, 
Cupp Donnings, William Lewis, John Quick. 

Leicester, December y^ 27, 1781. 
This may certify that I have received from the town of Ox- 
ford their full Quota of Men to fill up the Continental 

army. 

Seth Washburn, Superintendent. 

(From the original receipt recorded per Samuel Harris, 
town clerk.) 

From the Oxford Town Records. 

Capt. Fish discharge resignation and Reccommendation. 

May it please your Honor. I should take it as a favor if you could 

give me a discharge from the Service as I think myself much injured in 

my Rank as I can neither have what I think is my rank nor even a 

board of Gentlemen to sit to settle a dispute of Rank between Capt. 



388 The Records of Oxford. 

Webb and I both of one Regiment tliougb I have requested it of Col. 

Shepard commanding tlie Regiment and at this time the Brigade to 

which we both belong. 

T. Fish, Caip. 

Col. Shepard, Reg. 

Providence, June 15, 1779. 

To the Honorable Maj.-Gen. Gates, Head-Quarters, Providence, June 
17, 1779. 

Capt. T. Fish being desirous to Quit the service is hereby discharg'd 
the Army of the United States of America by order of Maj.-Gen. Gates. 

Isaac Peirce, A. D. Camp. 

The Names of Soldiers in the Continental Army from 
Oxford near the close of the War. 

Richard Moore, Jedediah Adams, Zaclieus Ballard, Josiah 
Eddy, William Foster, John Florey, John Fessenden, Jesse 
Forsyth, Adonijah Gleason, John Hudson, William Jordan, 
Moses Knowland, Sylvanus Learned, Samuel Putney, Ebenezer 
Robbins, Peter Shnraway, David Scanning, William Stuart, 
Moses Town, David Town, Jr., Samuel White. 

George Robinson, son-in-law of Gen, Learned, was in his 
brigade, and was killed at the battle of Saratoga. 

Reuben Robinson was also in the service, and died of fever 

in 1776. 

Joseph Kingsbury was drafted in 1777, and Samuel, his son, 
went in his stead, and was in the Saratoga l^attles. 

Josiah, sou of Jeremiah Kingsbury, joined the army at six- 
teeu years of age in 1775, and served till the close of the war ; 
was acting quarter-master under Arnold at West Point, and 
ensign when discharged. 

Others were as follows: James Hovey Davis, Samuel Jen- 
nison, lieutenant and quartermaster of Nixon's brigade at Sara- 
toga battles; David, son of John Barton, sick at Richmond 



Revohitionary War. 389 

after Coruwallls' surrender; William, son of Benjamin Kddy, 
Parley, son of William Eddy, six months ; Jacob Fellows, 
Abijali, son of Abijah Gale, Brewer's regiment, died in ser- 
vice ; Jesse Gale, his brother, killed March 24, 1780 ; Ileze- 
kiali Lamed, marched from Upton on Lexington Alarm; Abi- 
jah Conant, son-in-law of Capt. John Nichols, went as servant 
to Nichols, died in service; John Twichell, Gideon Sibley, 
from Sutton, on Lexington Alarm; Abijah and Elihu, sons of 
David Thurston, in the same company, and both killed in the 
same battle August, 1777; Jedediah Adams, seven months in 
Wiley's company, killed ; Phinehas Bai-ton, Capt. John Nich- 
ols, joined the army 1777; Andrew Sigourney, in battle at 
White Plains and others, commissary, with rank of captain; * 
Anthony Sigourney, in same regiment ; Nathan Atwood, Eli- 
jah Shumway, John Bowers, Benjamin Rider, Adams Sully, 
William Stowell, Joseph Phillips. 

On September 29, 1777, Ezra Bowman was appointed by 
the Legislature adjutant of the Fifth regiment and entered the 
service, continuing until April, 1781, at least. 

A reinforcement for Gates, in service from August 1 to 
November 29, 1777, was commanded by Abijah Lamb, under 
Col. Gushing. Abijah Lamb, captain ; Ebenezer Humphrey, 
Sylvanus Towne, lieutenants; Elijah Larned, Arthur Hum- 
phrey, sergeants ; Dana Towne, Timothy Sparhawk, corporals ; 
Thomas Baker, Jonathan Coolidge, Jason Coller, Ebenezer 
Davis, John Fitts, Joseph Hurd, Isaac Larned, Jonathan 
Merriam, Samuel Stone (commissary), Elias Towne, Isaac 
Larned, Jr., privates. This reinforcement was in the Saratoga 
battles. 

Tradition states that Isaac Larned was bombardier in Capt. 
Todd's artillery company in 1776. 

Capt. Ebenezer Humphrey, Col. Jacob Davis. Company 

* Col. Holman's regiment. 



I 



390 The Records of Oxford. 

marched July 30, 1 780, to Jlliode Island "on the alarm." 
Ebenezer Humphre}', captain ; Levi Davis, lieutenant ; Joshua 
Turner, 2d lieutenant ; Joseph Hurd, Ebenezer Humphrey, 
Jr., John Campbell, Amos Shumway, sergeants ; Benjamin 
Simraway, Jonathan Coburn, David Stone, Samuel Stone, 
corporals ; Samuel Cudworth, lifer ; Philip Ammidown, Eze- 
kiel Coller, Thomas Campbell, Solomon Covel, Jonas Davis, 
Simon Gleason, Nathaniel Hamlin, Jonathan Harris, Gideon 
Hovey, Jeremiah Kingsbury, Reuben Lamb, John Nichols, 
Jonas Pratt, Thomas Parker, Nathan Pratt, Ebenezer Red- 
ding, Moses Powell, Timothy Sparhawk, Josiah Shumway, 
Sylvanus Towne, Archibald Todd, Ambrose Stone, privates. 
Isaac Lamed was in this expedition — in another company. 
Time of service about thirteen days. 

Learned to Gen. Washington. 

"Sir, with regret I must humbly represent my case, Being so indis- 
posed in body that I am absolutely rendered unfit to serve the much in- 
jured and distressed publick with the alacrity and usefulness I could 
wish, or the importance of the cause requires; yet my hearty and great- 
est wish is tliat your Excellency may receive renown, and the United 
Colonies' arms still be distinguished with success and victory, and in 
God's own time every worthy member in the struggle return to and en- 
joy his own habitation in peace. But at present must request to absent 
myself from the Army in the manner your Excellency shall prescribe; 
and if it should be thought most expedient I should be dismissed the 
Continental service, if my past conduct is equal, should pray I may be 
dismissed with honor and supported home. In obtaining this I sliall 
have fresh instances of your Excellency's favor; and lay me under new 
obligations ever to remain your very humble servant. 

Ebenezer Learned." 
Addressed 

To the Hon. His Excellency, 

Geo. Washington, Esq. 

Col. Ebenezer Learned on April 2, 1777, received his ap- 
pointment from Congress of brigadier-general. He accepted 



Revolutionary War. 391 

the offer, and soon joined the northern army under General 
Schuyler. 

His first service under his new commission was at Fort 
Edward, whence he proceeded to Fort Ticonderoga, where he 
secured and removed valuable stores before that fort was taken 
by Burgojne in his progress southward. On July 8, 1777, he 
was in command at Fort Edward, at which date he addressed 
the following to Gen. Schuyler : 

" Hon"* and Dear S': 

" I have the agreeable Tidings that our Men at Fort Ann are full of 
Resolution to Defend the Place and I am Supplying every Request from 
there yesterday after Noon the Enemy appeared in sight our People out 
and attacked them and Drove them 3 miles — Saw them carrying off 
Dead & Wounded — the Enemy consisted of Hessians, Canadians, & 
Indians we had 1 man Killed 3 Wounded — 

"From Fort George we are informed that the Enemy have made ap- 
pearance 7 miles from there on an island— 3 bateaux and 1 canoe — 
and Since we are drove to the great Necessity to Defend ourselves in 
this bare handed and confused Situation we are struggling to do it in 
the best manner we can. Have but very little Artillery and that un- 
mounted — but very little lead Balls — but very few Tools for fortifying 

— no Tents more but few Kettles &c &c — but in the midst of these 
Diffculties we find the great Importance of Defending this last security 
of our Country which God Grant we may never give up though at Pres- 
ent are very Defenceless — I would ask your Particular Orders and ad- 
vice in this Critical Time — I have made all Dispatch to remove the 
most valuable stores from Fort George not with any Design to leave it 

— but find the Necessity to save what few Medicines &c we have left. 
" This moment received from Fort Ann: the Enemy made an attack 

very near the Fort drove our People into the Fort — have heard no more 
" S' your very Humble Serv' 

"Eben» Learned B. : G. 
Hon'* Gen' Schuyler. 

"This moment heard there were a firing on Lake George we had 
boats sent down «&c." 

Fort Stanwix was saved, and Arnold and Learned marched 
to the Hudson. 



392 The Records of Oxford. 

"During their absence the battle of Bennington had been 
fought, and Scliuyler Imd been superseded by Gen. Gates. 
Burgoyne was preparing for an advance on Albany, and to 
oppose his progress iVrnold and Koscinsco had selected a posi- 
tion to fortify called Beinis' Heights, a rise of ground pecu- 
liarly appropriate for the purpose, lying between the river 
(near wliicli was the highest portion) and Saratoga Lake, about 
six miles from it. On this ground, on the 19th of September, 
occurred the first of two hard-fought battles, and from the best 
evidence we have, Arnold was a leading spirit in the day's 
contest, and Learned, who commanded the centre brigade, 
acted a very important part under him. 

Washington to Heath. 

The next mention we find of him is in a letter of Gen. 
Washington to Gen. Heath at Boston, bearing date January 9, 
1778, at Valley Forge, which contains the following: 

" I beg you will carefully forward the enclosed letters to Brigadiers 
Glover and Learned. Tliey contain orders for them to join their re- 
spective brigades, with which they are much wanted." 

Gen. Heath rej>Iied, saying these letters had been forwarded 
as requested. Upon the receipt of Wasiiingtoii's order Learned 
proceeded to Boston and laid open his case to Gen. Heath, 
who, on Feb. 7, 1778, wrote as follows to Gen. Washington: 

{Extracts from. Gen. Heath's Reply.'] 
Brig. -Gen. Learned called upon me a day or two since and requested 
that I would transmit your Excellency the enclosed certificates, and rep- 
resent his prenent state of health. He has proposed to resign his com- 
mission, but the Hon. Mr. Hancock and myself have persuaded him to 
delay for the present, as in a summer campaign he may render his coun- 
try essential service. He is anxious to know your Excellency's pleasure. 

On February 27, 1778, Gen. Washington replied as follows: 
"Considering Gen. Learned's ill state of health, I think his resigna- 



Revolutionary War. 307 

tion had better be accepted of, more especially as from the nature of his 
complaint it does not appear that he can ever be able to bear the fatigues 
of a campaign. I would therefore advise him to make his resignation, 
with the reasons for so doing, to Congress, who are the proper Ijody to 
receive it." 

Gkn. Lkarned's Letter to Gen. Washington. 

UTVT tr a r, " BoSTON, .^^/;-C^ 12, 1778. 

" Most Hon'' Pk. : 

"I have served in this warfare since the beginning as a Col. of a Regt. 
till May 1776 when by indisposition by reason of certain fatigues in the 
army I found myself unequal and resigned the service. 

" Since I recovered a little the Honorable the Continental Congress 
on the second day of April 1777 appointed me to the command "of a 
Brig.-Gen'. 

"I immediately took the field, i)roceeded to Fort Edward, and at the 
evacuation of Ticonderoga had great fatigue in securing the remains of 
our stores that way. Directly on that marched my brigade to the relief 
of Fort Stanwix. 

" Immediately on return we had the satisfaction of reducing Bur- 
goyne's army with much fatigue and was personally and brigade^in the 
severe but victorious actions of Sept. 19 and Oct. 7, and after that army 
was imprisoned we took a forced March to Albany to stop the progress 
of the enemy that way. 

"All which brought on my former difficulties and by the advice of 
Doct. Potts I took a furlough of Gen. Gates to retire from the army till 
I was well; the receipt of which with my surgeon's certificate I have 
enclosed. 

"And I find I am quite unequal to act vigorously in my country's 
cause in the field and to eat the Publick's bread and not do the service 
I am not disposed. And I think I am better able to serve in a private 
or civil than in a military character. 

"All of which considered I think it my duty to myself and my fam- 
ily, and country to pray your Honor the Congress to discharge me from 
the service. 

"And I shall remain as before 
" Your Honor's 

"Very Humble Serv't. 

"Ebenezer Learned, B. : G " 
50 



394 'rf^^ Records of Oxford. 

In Congress, March 24, 1778, it was resolved that this resig- 
nation be accepted. 

Note. — The Saratoga battle-field, in 1885, still retains relics to recall 
the memories of scenes enacted on its site in the War of the Revolutiou. 

" The breastworks wiiich surrounded Reidesel's Brunswickers, and at 
the south-eastern extremity of which the Hanau artillery, under Capt. 
Fausch, was placed (enclosing an area of, perhaps, twenty acres), are 
yet easily traced, being still two, and in some places five feet high; and 
in the midst of a dense wood is seen the old camp well used by this 
portion of Burgoyne's array. 

"A large portion of the British camp, after the action of the 19th, was 
on the site of tliat battle. 

"The house which was the headquarters of Generals Arnold, Learned 
and Poor, before, during and after the two actions, is still standing in 
excellent preservation. 

"The 'Ensign House,' which received a portion of Burgoyne's 
wounded, together with the tall Dutch clock, which ticked off the num- 
bered minutes of tlie dying, still remain. 

" Among other souvenirs of similar interest, may be mentioned the 
' Lovegat House ' of Coreville, in which Burgoyne and his staff rested 
for one night, both on the advance and on the retreat, and which is 
rendered additionally interesting from its having been the starting point 
of Lady Ackland, wlien, accompanied by Parson Brudewell, she set out 
in a frail boat, and in the midst of darkness and a cold autumnal storm, 
to rejoin her husband, then lying wounded in tlie American camp. The 
house remains exactly as it was at the time of Burgoyne's visit, and 
with the same old poplar standing in the door-yard." 



War of 1812. 395 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

War of 1812; Mexican War; The Civil War. 

The war of 1812 was caused by aggressions upon the com- 
merce ol" the United States, and the impressment of seamen 
from American vessels by tb.e English. The American gov- 
ernment decided to declare war against England, June 18, 1812. 
General Henry Dearborn was commander-in-chief. 

The war of 1812 continued until the battle of New Orleans, 
January 8, 1815. 

In 1813 the Americans planned to invade Canada with three 
armies. The Army of the West, comnianded by General 
William Henry Harrison, was collected near the western end 
of Lake Erie. The Army of the Centre, under General Dear- 
born, was at Sackett's Harbor and on the Niagara frontier. 
The Armj^ of the North assembled on the shores of Lake 
Champlaiu, wiili General Wade Hampton as commander. 

Abijah, son of Dr. Daniel Fisk, died in 1813, of camp fever 
at Greenbush ; John, son of George Alverson, killed in battle ; 
J. Prentice, son of Levi Lamb, died in service; Sylvanus, son 
of Col. Sylvanue Towne, in regular army on western frontier, 
from 1800 to 1820, returned and died in Oxford ; David Wait 
served at Fort Warren; Tisdale Atwood and Hovey Bounds, 
wounded at Queenstown ; Russell Wiiite and George Blandin 
died in service ; Jesse Priggs, Rufus Briggs, William Stiles, 
Edward Shumway and Joseph Lamb, musician, 

Capt. John Butler during the war of 1812 served in the 
regular army. The Army Register (p. 107) sets him down 
second lieutenant, August 14, 1813, and on March 17, 1814, 
first lieutenant, in the Twenty-fourth infantry. His captain 
was Robert Desha, and his colonel, E. P. Gaines. 

He was stationed at Fort Osage, Jackson Co., Missouri, 
founded 1808, 300 miles up the river and near the present 



39^ Tlie Records of Oxford. 

si to of Kansas City. It is described by Brackenbridge in 1811. 
(Louisiana, p. 217.) Penned in by Indians, his command had 
no rations but, potatoes, while buffaloes were rovintj l)efore 
their eyes. They were at last obliged to bni'u the fort and 
escape down the river in boats. Among his other stations 
were St. Charles, Bellefontaine and Fort Chirk. In January, 
1814, he was acting adjutant at Newport, Ky., keeping guard 
over 4(>0 British prisoners. lie writes from Detroit, May 14, 
IS 14, that he had marched thither from Newport across the 
State of Ohio ; that 400 regulars were in Detroit, and that 400 
militia had just pushed on to establish a post ninety miles 
above. His force reaching St. Joseph, July 20, destroyed it, 
and also British stores at St. MaryV, arriving at Mackinaw, 
July 26. On August 4, 900 Americans landed, were attacked 
by Indians in thick bushes, and fought tliere forty n)inutes, 
losing 87 killed or wounded ; they returned to their boats. In 
Lieutenant Butler's company the captain, Desha, was shot 
through the thigh, the third lieutenant, Jackson, and six pri- 
vates were killed ; Butler's own sword belt was cut by a bullet. 
General Cullum's account of the action is as follows (p. 200): 
" Aug. 4. Our land force attempted an attack from a height 
in the rear of the fort, which resulted in a shar]> conflict, chiefly 
with Indians in a thick wood, and the retreat of our troops." 

Capt. Butler in his person was not a large man, but of un- 
common strengtli and agility. In youth he was a celebrated 
wrestler. 

Durin*' the war there were conflicts on the ocean. The sloop- 
of-war Hornet, Captain James Lawrence, compelled the 
British brig Peacoclc to strike her colors after an engagement 
continuing but fifteen minutes. Lawrence was promoted to 
the command of the Chesapeake. 

James Butler Sigourney of Boston was a sailing master in the United 
States Navy ; entered as midshipman, March — , 1809 ; was a favorite pupil 
of Lawrence, on board the Wasp. Was sailing master of the Nautilus 



War of i8i2. 397 

when captured, June 16, 1812; was curried to flalifax, June 28, by tlie 
Shannon; he soon came back to the States, and was invited to the same 
station on board the Hornet, by his old master, but was unable to 
accept, because the Hornet sailed before his excliange was ratified by 
our government. He was ordered to the southern station and com- 
manded the scliooner Asp. July 14, 1813, he was attacked in the 
Potomac by three British barges, which he successfully repelled, but an 
hour afterward was overpowered by a force of fifty men, in five boats, 
who boarded, exclaiming, no quarter. Of the Asp's crew, twenty-one in 
all, some threw themselves overboard; the rest (except two) were put 
to death. Sigourney kept his station, and was cut down when only 
three men were left on deck, one of whom begged in vain for quarter. — 
Boston Gazette, August 9, 1813. 

On the 1st of Jane, 1813, Lawrence, with his vessel ill- 
equipped and ill-manned, put to sea from Boston, to engage 
the British frigate Shannon, which, with a well-disciplined 
crew, was lying off the harbor inviting au attack. The action 
was short, but very furious. In a few minutes the Chesapeake 
became exposed to a raking fire, and her chief officers were 
killed or wounded. Then the enemy boarded her and hauled 
down the colors. Lawrence, after he was mortally wounded, 
gave his last heroic order: "Don't give up the ship." This 
was the most memorable sea-fight of the year. 

Perry's victory on Lake Erie, in capturing British vessels, 
was a great achievement. General Harrison hastened to profit 
by this victory of Ferry on Lake Erie. Embarking his troops 
on board of Perry's fleet, he crossed to Canada. Harrison 
pursued the enemy and overtook them, October 5th, waiting 
to give battle. He charged upon the English, broke their 
ranks, and caused them to surrender. 

The savages made a brave resistance, but Tecumseh*, their 
leader, was soon slain, and they were forced to take flight. 

The victories of Perry and Hari-ison brought the war to an 
end on the north-western frontier. 



* Tecumseh was a noted Indian warrior; he was chief of the 
Shawnees and had taken part against the Americans in many conflicts. 



398 TJie Records of Oxford. 

Owen Qninn, in flie war of 1S12, a native of Ireland, had 
been impressed into the British service when at his home in 
Ireland, in early youth. His recollections of that home were of 
his mother standing at the gate of her cottage taking her last 
leave of him, as he was iiurried away, with the sound of drum 
and life, to join in the Peninsula war in Spain. He fought 
against the French, was stationed at the Straits of Gibraltar, 
and from his tall fignre lie was a grenadier while in service. 
In 1813 his regiment was ordered froin Spain to the United 
States to fight against the Americans. Owen Qniim was in 
the British blockade on the Atlantic coast, wliich was stationed 
at the Penobscot river in Maine. 

While on board of the British man-of-war he was detailed 
to go on shore to collect wood for the ship. While on shore 
he fled to the American camp, was pursued as a deserter, but 
just escaped being made a prisoner and shot. In sympathy 
for American liberty he enlisted in the United States service 
to the end of the war. He knew by deserting he lost all hope 
of his pension from the British government, as he was 
promised, if he were disabled or retired with an honorable dis- 
charge from service. He became a resident of Oxford (now 
Webster). He died in Sutton, Mass., December, 1871, aged 
82 years. 

Captain William Googings of Oxford, it is said, was a native 
of Maine, born in 1768; in his youth went to Nantucket, 
where he continued for thirty two years a sailor and whaleman ; 
later in the merchant service, and became part owner and cap- 
tain of a vessel. In the war of 1812 his vessel, with a valu- 
able cargo, of which he was also part owner, was captured by 
French privateers, and he was taken to France. A few years 
after his return he came to Oxford, and resided in a cottage on 
the old Charlton road near the river, west from the north com- 
mon. Captain Googings died June, 1832. 



The Mexican War. 399 

Clone of the War. 

In December, 1814, a fleet of over 10,000 troops arrived 
from England to capture JNew Orleans. 

On the 8th of Janiiiry, 1815, the British, under Sir Edward 
Pakenham, made -aw attack upon the intrencliments a few 
miles below New Orleans, Ijut failed of success^ — General 
Jackson obtaining a great victory for the Americans in this 
engagement. 

The war had now continued for more than two years and a 
half before the battle <»f New Orleans. 

A treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, in Belgium, Decem- 
ber 21, 1814, by American and British Conmiissioners. 

News traveled slowly in these days. 

TuE Mexican War. 

President Polk's administration wms most notable by the 
war with Mexico, which resulted from the annexation of 
Texas. Permitting Texas to join the Unicn was received l\y 
the Mexicans as an act of hostility. 

While war was impending. General Taylor received orders 
from government to advance into Texas with a body of Ameri- 
can troops to repel a threatened invasion of the Mexicans. In 
August, 1845, he formed his camp at Corpus Christi, just 
within the boundary of the disputed territory. The early part 
of the following year, having received orders to advance, he 
moved to the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoras. 

Now on the east bank of the river, he commenced building 
a fort (Fort Brown). Before arriving at the Rio Grande he 
established at Point Isat)el a place of deposit for supplies. 

May 8, on returning from Point Isabel, he met General 
Arista with the Mexican army, and gained a victory over the 
Mexicans on the plains of Palo Alto. The next day. May 9, 
General Taylor advancing again met the Mexicans at Resaca 
de la Palma, and totally defeated them. On the 18th of May 



400 TJie Records of Oxford. 

Taylor crossed the river Rio Grande and took possession of 
Matamoras. In a few months General Taylor moved his 
army of aboat 6,H00 men against Monterey, and on the 24th 
of September, after a siege of four days and a series of assaults, 
the city was surrendered to the Americans. In January, 1847, 
a large part of General Taylor's best troops were withdrawn 
to aid General Scott, who had been ordered to invade Mexico 
by way of Vera Cruz. 

Santa Anna, general-in-chief of the Mexican forces, collected 
20,000 troops, and made an attack upon Taylor and Wool in a 
narrow mountain-pass, near the plantation Buena Vista. The 
battle commenced in the afternoon of the 22d of February, 
1847, and continued the next day till night, when Santa Anna 
retreated. This victory terminated the war in that part of 
the country held by Taylor's forces. From this time the 
Mexicans made efforts to resist the invasion which General 
Scott was to make to the very centre of her power. General 
Scott had landed his army near Vera Crnz, March 9, 1S47, and 
soon had com})letely invested the city. After a furious bom- 
bardment of four days from the army and fleet, Vera Crnz 
and the strong castle San Juan d'Ulloa surrendered. A few 
days afterward Scott began Iiis march toward tlie city of 
Mexico. At the mountain-pass of Cerro Gordo he met Santa 
Anna, who had collected another army. On the ISth of April 
the Americans totally routed the Mexicans. 

The victors continued their march to Pueblo, which was 
surrendered by the Mexicans. The fortified camp of Contreras, 
twelve miles south of Mexico, was assaulted and carried. 
This success was followed by the brilliant victory of Clieru- 
busco. On the 8th of September General Worth led his col- 
umn against the forces of the enemy in a strong stone struc- 
ture. "The battle fought on that day was the most bloody of 
the war, but the position was won." 

Five davs later the Americans stormed the rock and castle 



The Mexican War. 401 

of Chapultepee, the last stroiif^ defense of tlie capital, and 
routed the whole Mexican army. 

Septemher U, IS-tT, the Americans entered the city of 
Mexico and raised the "stars ami stripes" over the national pal- 
ace. The fall of the cajjital was the close of the war. 

Tiie United States o;ained bj their brilliant victories in 
Mexico a large teri-itory stretching to tlie Pacific coast. 

A treaty was concluded in February, 184S, aii<l peace wiis 
proclaimed by President Polk the following July. 

Gen. Nelson Henry Divis of Oxford was distinguished in 
the Mexican war. 

"Kelson IJ., s<.n of Col. Stephen Davis of Oxford, studied at 
Leicester Academy", appointed upon nomination of Levi- Lin- 
coln (then representative to Clongress from Hftli Massachusetts 
district) as cadet at West Point, where he entered July 1, 
1841, was graduated iS-tl), went the same year into the Mexi- 
can war under Gen. Taylor at Monterey, joined at Tampico 
the forces of Gen. Scott, under whom he served through the 
war; was in the siege of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, 
the stortning of Cntreras, the taking of Cherubnsco, and in 
later engagements in the valley of Mexico, and the taking of 
the capital, lie left Mexico^ with the army in June, 1S48, 
and in November of that year sailed from New York with 
troops around Cape Horn, arriving in April at Monterey, Cab 
There he served until December, 1853, first as commissary and 
later with his company at remote stations in the Indian coun- 
try, where subsistence was difficult, and with the Clear Lake 
and the Russian River Indians had two notable and successful 
engagements under the brave captain, later General, Nathaniel 
Lyon. This was said to have been one of the most brilliant 
Indian campaigns in the army service. 

"His health having been impaired by exposure he obtained 
leave of absence, and in 1853 visited China and the Sandwich 
Islands. In January, 1854, he returned to New York, and 
51 



402 The Records of Oxford. 

for a year was on recriutino: duty at Boston. In tlie fall of 
1855 lie went into frontier service at Forts Leavenworth, Ran- 
dall, Ridgely, Ripley, and on field duty in the Indian country, 
continnin;^ until the spring of 1861, when ho was ordered east 
to engage hi the late civil war. At the first battle of Bull 
Run he was acting major of the ' Regular Battalion,' and on 
September 4, 1801, was by Gov. Andrew commissioned as 
colonel of the 7tli Regt., Mass. Vols., which office he held un- 
til Noveiuher 12, when he was appointed assistant inspector- 
general of the army, ordered to other duties and resigned his 
colonel's commission. 

"As assistant in.-^pector-ireneral he served in the field, in the 
'" Anny of the Potomac," at the liead quarters of Sumner, 
McOlellan, Hooker and Meade, and was in all the battles in 
which these commanders were engaged while he served under 
their commands, and was specially efficient at t!ie battle of 
Gettysburg. Later he was ordered to the department of New 
Mexico as general inspecting officer. The duties in this field 
required almost constant traveling through a vast extent of 
wild country infested with hostile Indians, the climate, em- 
bracing extremes of heat and cold, rendering the service severe. 
Many movements were made at niglit to avoid the enemy. 
" On one of these campaigns, after repeated night marches in 
which several Indian Rancherias were captured, * * * a 
forced march was made at night over a high range of moun- 
tains to the reported camp (tf the Indians. * - * Near 
the summit the escort was divided into two detachments, a 
thii'd having been left behind in a caflon to guard the pack- 
train. These det.'U'htuents, wjiich were about five miles apart, 
attacked simultaneously at dawn two camps of the Apaches, 
who were completely surprise<l.'' A short and sharp contest 
ensued, resrltino; in lai-o^e loss to the Indians. This was the 
first severe chastisement they had received for many years, 
and in recoijnition of his services in this affair the Legislature 



TJie Mexican War. 403 

of Arizoiui paoSiiJ D.ivio it vote of tliaiiks, aiul tlie United 
States i(overmuent conferred on him the rank of colonel in the 
army. 

" fjater he was for several years inspecting officer of the De- 
partment of the Missouri, to which the District of New 
Mexico was then attached. From this service he was assigned 
to special duty under the W;ir Department, with station at 
New York city, for three years, his duties covering inspections 
in the Western St;itos and Territories to Alaska. He was next 
inspector-general of the Division of the Atlantic, under Gen. 
Hancock, until July 1, 1881, when he was assigned to the 
same duty in the Division of the Missouri, under Gen. Sheri- 
dan, with station at Chicago. On the death of Gen. D. B. 
Sacket, chief inspector-general of the army. Gen. Davis in 
March, 1885, was protnoted as his successor, assuming the 
duties of that oiMce at Washington. 

" On Septemi)cr 20, 1885, by the operation of the law he was 
retired from active service as brigadier-general. 

"Gen. Davis held every grade of rank in the army from 
second lieutenant to brigadier-general, and head of the In- 
spector-General's Department ; was brevetted for services in 
the Mexican War, the War of the Rebellion and Indian fights, 
and traveled on duty in each and every State and Territory 
of the Union. 

" His services in the Civil War were of the highest import- 
ance, and as acting inspector he undoubtedly had a more com- 
plete knowledge of the conditions of the ' Army of the Poto- 
mac ' in its details than any other official in the country. 

" Later Gen. Davis resided in New York city, and was several 
years president of the Colorado Smelting Co., with an othce in 
New i'ork. He died suddenly of apoplexy at Governor Island, 
N. Y., May 15, 1890." 



404 The Records of Oxford. 

The Civil War. 

Oil the 15tli of April, 1S61, the day following- the evacua- 
tion of Fort Sumter, Presi-leiit Lincoln called for seventy-five 
thousand troops to serve for three months. 

The national troops, only a few thousand in all, were sta- 
tioned on the remote frontiers, wliilc mo?t of the war ships 
were dispersed in distant seas. 

Fridav, April 19, witnessed the contest between the Sixth 
Massacliusetts Reg;iment and the Baltimore n^ob. 

It was on this eventful evening that gentlemen in Oxford 
assembled with great entiiusiasm to make arrangements for the 
immediate organization of a volunteer company of soldiers. 
Hon. Alexander De Witt, president on the occasion — In a 
few day^ a sufficient number of volunteers were obtained to 
assure the success of a company. The company was organized 
May 4, under the militia laws of the State, and in honor of 
Col. Alexander De Witt, was called the "De W^itt Guards." 

The town provided for the members of tlie company, pro- 
curing uniforms and aiding families. On June 1, an excur- 
sion was made to Worcester, where the company were enter- 
tained. "When passing through Sutton the company halted at 
Freeland Place, the residence of the late Captain Freeland. 
On June 28, the company went into camp at Worcester, and 
was attached to the Fifteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- 
teers, and designated as Company E. Camp duty was con- 
tinued until August 8, when under the command of Col. 
De\ ens, the regiment left en route for Washington, and arrived 
on the 10th. An encampment was made on the 12th, at 
Meridian Hill, under the name of Camp Kalorama. 

]S!'oTE. — In November, 18G1, tlie town voted to pay board bills of 
soldiers not exceeding $267.85. Of tliis, $133 were paid to L. A. Presby, 
tavern-keeper. The amount paid by the town to the " De Witt Guards " 
for drilling was $3,084, and for uniforms $1,043. The bounties paid 
before the spring of 1863 amounted to $10,650. The amount paid to 



TJie Chil War. 405 

soldiers' families in the fiscal year ending 1863 was $1,707; 1863, $4,283; 
1864, $4,904; 1865, $6,708; 1866, State aid, $3,691. [Town Reports.] 

Through the efficiency of Lament B. Corbin, first selectman, as re- 
cruiting ofiicer, all demands for men were promptly met. In June, 1864, 
the town by a unanimous vote expressed its thanks to him " for the ener- 
getic, faithful and patriotic manner " in which he had performed the 
duties. 

April, 1864, the following appeared in the Worcester Spy : '' The town 
of Oxford considers itself the banner town of the county, having filled 
all quotas with four or five men in the field in excess, and all have been 
raised without war meetings, extra bounties or purchases of men out of 
town." 

The following names are found registered as the De Witt 
Guards: Watson, capt., J^Jelson Bartholomew, 1st lieut., Ber- 
nard B. Yassall, 2d lieut., Luther 0. Torrey, 1st sergt., Leo- 
nard E. Tiiayer, student. Henry W. Arnold, Albert Prince, 
George B. Works, Peleg F. Murray, Charles A. Bacon, Amos 
H. Shumway, Pliny Allen, John M. Norcross, Loren C. Hoyle, 
Sutton, Joseph N. Williams, George N. Carr, Patrick Moore, 
Oscar L. Guild, musicians, Elias B. Ellis, Kensington, Ct., 
Charles Sutton, wagoner. 

Ithiel T. Johnson went August 1, 1861 with Co. E, 15th 
Rcgt., as attendant of Lieut. Bartholomew. Feb. 6, 1865, went 
again and was news agent in Hancock's Veteran Corps. 

Oxford in the Civil War, 1861-1865. 
Company IH^ Fifteenth Regiment. 
Peleg F. Murray, sergt., Amos H. Shumway, sergt., John 
A. Thurston, sergt., Lieut, Nelson Bartholomew, Edward 
Booth, George W. Cross, (George P. Davis, James H. Davis, 
Alfred W. Davis, Antonio Philli])s, Francis C. Pope, Lyman 
Phipps, Vernon F. Rindge, Edward Ennis, Patrick Elliot, 
Herbert N. Fuller, Henry Hock, Cyrus Learned, Elliot F. Mc- 
Kinstry, Francis A. Fletcher, Chester I. Smith, Estes E. Baker, 
James D, Adams, Jauies (). Bartlett, Valentine Suter, Edward 



406 The Records of Oxford. 

Ciidworth, Henry C. Hayden, Charles F. Wheelock, George 
S. Williams, Albert L. Williams, Patrick Holden, liufus Yi- 
cers, Christopher Yicers, Pliuy Allen, corj>., Simon Carson, 
Corp., Horace P. Howe, corp., Anthony Mnr])hy, eorp., John 
Toomey, corp., Nathaniel Viall, corp., Joseph H. Williams, 
Corp., Andrew B. Yeomans, corp., Oscar L. Guild, musician, 
Charles A. Bacon, Matthew Brennan, Patrick Brennan, 
Samuel A. Clark, Daniel Cobb, Otis Cobnrn, Edward Cud- 
worth, F. L. Kirby, Leander T. Kirhy, James H. Davis, 
Horatio C. Dodge, Caleb F. Dudley, James Duffy, Frank 
Dupre, John Eckersley, Joseph E. Fellows, Patrick Feiglian, 
Herbert N. Fuller, Joseph M. Green, George W. Gunsfon, 
Joseph E. Haskell, John W. Humphrey, James Hilton, Joseph 
Jennison, Thomas King, Edward Lovel}-, Edwin E. Rindge, 
George O. Raymond, Jerome P. Southwick, Bernard Schmidt, 
Felix Sherbino, Edwin A. Martin, Julius N. Bellows, Josiah 
C. Brown, Daniel Y. Childs, John Dore, Amos P. Newton, 
Jr., William Robbins, Albert Foskett, George Bacon, William 
Ronan, Leonard E. Thayer, Albeit S. Moffitt, Margins E. 
Steere, Timothy Moynahan, Anthony Murphy, William Y. 
Woodbury, Alexander Thompson, Thomas Thompson, Samuel 
Thompson, John Tully,— Mac Lynch. 

Battles in which Company E, Fifteenth Regiment, Massachu- 
setts Yolunteers was engaged. Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21, 1861 ; 
Siege of Yorktown, April 5 to May 5, 1862 ; Fair Oaks, May 
31, 1862 ; Savage Station, June 29, 1862 ; White Oak Swamp, 
June 80, 1862 ; Glendale, later, same day ; Malvern Hill, 
July 1, 1862; Yienna, Sept. 2, 1862, on letreat from Fairfax; 
South Mountain, Sep. 14, 1862; Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; 
Fredericksburg, Dec. 11 to 16, 1862; second Fredericksburg, 
May 34, 1863 ; Gettysburg, July 2, 3, 4, 1863 ; Bristow Sta- 
tion, Oct. 14, 1863; second Bull Run, Oct. 15, 1863; Mine 
Run or Locust Grove, Nov. 27, 28, 29, 1863; Wilderness, 
May 5 to 9, 1864 ; Laurel Hill, May 10, 1864 ; Farna Hill, 



The Civil War. ^07 

May 11, 1864; Spottsjlvania, May 12, 13, 18, 1864; Cold 
Harbor, June 3 to 11, 18(i4; before Peten^bur^, June 18 to 
22, 1864. 

Gen. George B. McClellan, who Iiad just conducted a suc- 
cessful campaign in West Virginia, was summoned to Wash- 
ington to take command of the troops on the Potomac. This 
arn)y soon became iin.nensely strong, but made no general ad- 
vance until the next veir. Some months were spent in organ- 
izing and disciplining the grand army. On the 1st of Novem- 
ber McClellan succeeded tlie aged chieftain, Scott, as goneral- 
lu -chief of the armies of the United States. 

In the antumn a severe action took place at BalPs Bluff on 
the Potomac, above Washington, liearly two thousand [Jnion 
troops sent across the river from the Maryland side by Gen 
fetone, the commander in that vicinity, were defeated in a bat- 
tle, October 21, with licavy lo.s. Col. Baker, a national sena- 
tor rom Oregon, and the leader of the expedition, was among 
the killed. ^ 

Joseph Jennison, J.-., and James Hilton were killed ; Ber- 
nard B. Vassall, lieutenant, prisoner; John M. Norcross, Na- 
thaniel A. Viall, Joseph H. Williams and Patrick Moore 
(both wounded), corporals; privates Amidon, Daniel Cobb, 
Ooburn, Thomas Conroy, William Conroy, Geo. P. Davis, 
Wi ham M. Davis, Dockhan., Duffy, Eckersley, Emerson, 
J^eilows, Jeighan (wounded), Mclntire, McKinstry, Moffit 
(wounded), Moynahan, Phipps (wounded), Vernon R Eindge, 
fechmidt were taken prisoners ; 5 officers, 22 privates ; total, 27. 
1 .e number of men of the regiment who crossed was about 
b^{>, ot tliese only one half returned. 

McClellan moved forward toward Richmond, and establish- 
ing h.s base of supplies at White House, on the Pamunkey, 
threw the left wing of his army across the Chickahominy, a 

m'-^' o7T^lT ^'''"' "" '^^'^ '^^''^^- Tl^is wing was attacked 
iVLay .1, 1862, near Fair Oaks and Seven Pines. The battle 



4o8 TJic Records of Oxford. 

lasted part of two days, and at its close the Confederates fell 
back to liicliaioiid. The loss was very severe on each side. 
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, the Confederate commander, was 
severely wounded, and Gen. Robert E. Lee was afterward as- 
sif^ned to command in his place. 

McClellan had been expectin;^ to be re-enforced by McDow- 
ell, who was at Fredericksburg, in command of over forty thou- 
sand men. To keep the way open for McDowell to join him, 
he liad sent forward a column under Gen, Fitz-John Porter, 
who routed a body of the enemy at Hanover Court House, 
four days before the battle of Fair Oaks. But a bold enter- 
prise performed by the Confederate Gen. Jackson, popularly 
known as "Stonewall" Jackson, prevented the junction of 
McDowell and McClellan. 

On Jnly 1, 18^2, occurred the battle of Malvern Hill, the 
last of the Richmond battles, in which the Confederates were 
repulsed at every point. The Fifteenth Regiment was en- 
gaged, but the loss was small. 

The fighting continued during seven days, known as the 
Seven Days before Richmond, ending in a bloody repulse of 
the Confederates at Malvern Hill. The other principal bat- 
tles had been fought at Mechanicsville. 

September 17, was fonght the great l)attle of Antietam, 
which raged from dawn till dark, and left both armies greatly 
shattered ; but Lee was forced to recross the Potomac. 

This was one of the great battles of the war. Each army 
numbered about one hundred thousand men, and the contest 
continued from morning till night. During tlie night the Con- 
federates retreated. In this struggle the Fifteenth lost heavil3\ 
The casualties in Company E were : killed, Serg. Amos H. 
Shumway (l)uried on the field) ; Alfred W. Davis, died of 
wounds Sept. 22 ; John H. Curran, James H. Davis, Alexan- 
der Thompson, Conrad Amptaeur, Charles H. Wheelock, with 
many wounded. 



The Civil War. 409 

OnjDecember 13, 1862, occurred the first battle of Fredericks- 
burg (Gen. Burnside being in command), in which the Fifteentli 
was eniraored. The Confederates foui^ht beliind intrench- 
ments and t!ie Unionists in tlie open fiehl, with great loss. 
One, Edwai'd Lovely, wounded, and one, Emory F. Bailey, 
missing, in Company E. A note (in Company E Records), 
dated December 11, says : " Regiment marched across the river 
to Fredericksburg — in active service till the 16th — then 
ordered to old camp near Falmouth." 

On the 3d crossed to Fredericksburg and joined, under Gen, 
Hooker, in the second attack on the Confederate works. Fail- 
ing in the attempt, it reerossed the river the same night, and 
for four days acted as picket guard and snpp(»rt of a battery 
near the river, " On the 8th, " moved back to the hill oppo- 
site the Lacy House," where an encampment was made, con- 
tinuing about five weeks. 

1863. In Virginia, Gen, Hooker superseded Burnside, and was 
severely beaten at Chancellorsvillc (May 2, 3) by Lee, who soon 
after set out for a second invasion of the loyal States. General 
Meade superseded Hooker, beat Lee in the great and decisive 
battle of Gettysburg (July 1, 2, 3), and pursued him into Virginia. 

In a Spy editorial, July 23, 1804, occurs the following:* 

Gen. Lee, thinking the Union lines weakening, precipitated 
upon their left center his reserve of eighteen thousand of his 
best troops, intending to sweep the field. The Union veterans 
were equal to the emergency, met the assault with coolness and 
bravery, forced back the attacking column, and decided the 
fortunes of the day. 



*The next day (July 3) the battle was renewerl. The shock was terri- 
ble. Late in the afternoon, when the rebel lines showed signs of waver- 
ing, the colors of the Fifteenth were ordered (by Gen. John Gibbon) to 
advance. The remnant of the regiment rallied to their support, and as 
if by one impulse the wliole line pushed forward with a shout and car- 
ried the position. Tlie rebel army was defeated." 

52 



4IO The Records of Oxford. 

Of Company E, privates Geo. W. Cross and Michael Fl^-nn 
were killed, and Capt. Prince, Corp. Antbon}^ Murphy and 
Owen Tonar, Eobert Lnsty and Thonaas King, privates, 
wounded. Flynn was on detached service in a Rhode Island 
battery, and is said to have been among the bravest. 

1863. The Federals, under Rosecrans, were defeated at the 
Chickamanga (September 19 and 20), and besieged in Chat- 
tanooga. The siege was raised, and the enemy thoroughly de- 
feated by Grant in a three days' battle, beginning November 
23. Soon after the Confederates were repulsed before Knox- 
ville by Burnside. 

Gen. Meade still held command of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, which had the task of conquering Lee's army. Lient.- 
Gen. Grant had his head-quarters with the Army of the Poto- 
mac, and took the general direction of military affairs. 

This army cro8sed the Rapidan, May 4, 1864, and the next 
day Lee hurled his heavy columns upon it, in the region known 
as the Wilderness.* There a terrific battle raged for two days, 
at the close the Confederates withdrawing behind their in- 
trenchments. These were too strong to be assaulted. Grant, 



*0f the battle of the Wilderness, a recent writer has said: " It was 
the most strange and indescribable battle in history. A battle which 
no man saw, and in which artillery was useless. A battle fought in 
dense woods and tangled brake, when manoeuvre was impossible, 
where the lines of battle were invisible to the commanders, and whose 
position could only be determined by the rattle and roll and flash of 
musketry, and where the enemy was also invisible." Another says: 
" Nothing can be stranger or more diflicult to understand and picture 
mentally than tliis death grapple between 200,000 men in virtual dark- 
ness, this desperate struggle, costing from 12,000 to 15,000 lives, fought 
out without perception on either side of the entities that were moving 
rifle-trigger and gun-lock. The firing was guided wholly by the flashes 
of the opposing volleys. No men were to be seen. Yet death was 
everywhere. In no battle of the war could the courage of the combat- 
ants have been so severely tried as here."-— iV. Y. Tribune, June 22, 1888. 



TJie Civil War. 411 

resolving to go on, therefore made a flank movement, but 
again found his foe before him at Spottsylvania, where 
the rival armies had a long, fierce struggle. Another flank 
movement was followed by a fight at the I*^orth Anna, and 
another by the bloody Federal repulse at Cold Harbor. When- 
ever Grant made a flanking advance, Lee fell back rapidly, 
and behind breastworks again confronted him. 

The great battles of the Civil War were Gettysburg, Spott_ 
sylvania. Wilderness, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, 
Cold Harbor, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Shiloh, Stone River 
and Petersburg. Gettysburg was the greatest battle of the 
war ; Antietam the bloodiest. The largest army was assembled 
by the Confederates at the seven days' fight; by the Union, at 
the Wilderness. 

On the 5th and 6th of May was fought the battle of the 
Wilderness, with many losses and no decided advantage to 
either side. On the 9th, after three days' hard fighting, the 
Confederates retreated with 13,00(» loss. On the 11th and 
12th occurred the battle of Spottsylvania, when 4,000 Con- 
federates were captured. 

General Wilson, with thirteen thousand horsemen, sent out 
by General Thomas, was making a great raid through the 
heart of Alabama, capturing cities, and destroying railroads 
and other property useful to an enemy. General Stoneman, 
from East Tennessee, was also making a great raid with 
cavalry in South-western Virginia and the western part of 
North Carolina. 

General Sheridan, with near ten thousand troopers, burst- 
ing through the Shenandoah Valley, had fallen again upon the 
little army of Early, and captured most of it. Then he de- 
stroyed the canal west of Richmond, and tore up the railroads 
north of the city. Sweeping around easterly, he joined the 
Union army before Petersburg. 

Grant opened the final campaign on the 29th of March. 



412 The Records of Oxford. 

On tbe morning of that day'-he set in motion strong columns 
of his arnij to pass around the end of tiie intrenchments 
south-west of Petersburg, so as to get to the enemy's rear. 
Fighting began on the same day, and on tbe Ist of April, 
Sheridan, in command of these flanking columns, tboroughl}- 
defeated part of Lee's army, at the cross-roads called Five 
Forks. 

Eai'ly in tbe next morning Grant made a general assault 
U})on tbe whole line of intrenchments before Petersburg, and 
carried it, driving tbe Confederates to tbeir inner works. 
Jefferson Davis and bis Cabinet fled from Tlicbmond. Lee's 
army abandoned} tlie cities which they had so long and so 
bravely defended, and hurried westward, aiming to unite with 
Jobnston's army in North Carolina. April 3 the Union troops 
occupied botb Petersburg and Richmond. 

Tbe saddest story of all the war is tbat wiiich tells of the 
cruel treatment of Union prisoners in the South. We would 
not here describe, if we could, the terrible sufferings whicb 
the captives bad to endure in Libby prison, on Belle Isle, and 
above all, in tbat great prison-pen at Andersonville, from beat, 
cold, hunger, from diseases which should have been prevented, 
and from outrages committed by brutal guards. 

Note. — The goverument sent expeditious for the capture of Fort 
Sumter aud .Charleston. Early in April, 1863, Admiral Du Pont, with 
a fleet of iron-clads, assailed the defenses of Charleston Harbor, but he 
was soon obliged to retire. Afterward land and naval forces, under 
General Gillmore and Admiral Dahlgren, attacked these defenses. In 
July Gillmore seized part of Morris Island, and tried to take Fort 
Wagner, on the other part, by storming it, but failed with sad loss. 
By a siege, the Confederates were at lengtli forced to abandon this fort. 
Fort Sumter was bombarded aud made a heap of ruins, but the garrison 
still held it, and Charleston also withstood the long siege, although 
Gillmore threw shells into the city from Morris Island. 

NoTK. — The 1st of February, 1865, saw Sherman again on the march. 
Moving northward, he easily brushed aside the small bodies of the 



The Civil War. 413 

enemy which offered any annoyance, and on the 17th occupied Columbia, 
the capital of South Carolina. On the same day Charleston was aban- 
doned by its garrison, whose safety was now threatened by Sherman's 
movements. On the following day, February 18, Gillmore's troops 
raised the national flag over Fort Sumter, and took possession of the 
city. 

The Civil War. 

Chronological Bevicw. 

"Lincoln became president in 1861. He entered upon a second term 
in 1865, but, April 14, was assassinated, and Vice-President Johnson 
succeeded to the presidency. 

" During these administrations the most formidable rebellion known 
to history was subdued, and slavery in the United States was abolished 
by an amendment of the Constitution. 

1861. 

"The Rebels attacked Fort Sumter, and compelled Major Anderson 
to evacuate it, April 14. The president called for troops. Jefferson 
Davis offered to commission privateers, and a blockade of the southern 
ports was established. Four more slave States joined the Confederacy. 

"The Federals, in Virginia, were disastrously defeated at Bull Run 
(July 21), and in the autumn at Ball's Bluff. In West Virginia, General 
McClellan, in July, gained victories over the Confederates at Rich 
Mountain and Canick's Ford, and before the end of the year that region 
was nearly cleared of armed Confederates. 

"In Kentucky, the Confederates, in September, seized and fortified 
Columbus, and the Union troops, under General Grant, then occupied 
Paducah. 

" In Missouri, Lyon captured a camp of disloyalists near St. Louis, in 
May, but lost the hard-fought battle of Wilson's Creek (August 10). 

" On the Atlantic coast the Federals captured the Confederate works 
at Hatteras Inlet (August 29), and those at Port Royal Entrance, 
November 7. 

" Mason and Slidell were taken from the British steamer Trent. 

1862. 

" The Federal government prohibited slavery in the territories, abol- 
ished it in the District of Columbia, and authorized the enlistment of 
colored troops. 

"In the West, east of the Mississippi, the Federals gained a victory 
at Mill Spring (January 19); captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, 
and occupied Nashville ; were victorious, under General Grant, at Shiloh 



414 The Records of Oxford. 

(April 6 and 7), and, under General Halleck, compelled the enemy to 
evacuate Corinth (May 29). In autumn, the Federals, under General 
Rosecrans, defeated the enemy at luka, and at Corinth. The Confed- 
erates fell back after the battle of Perryville (October 8), and at Mur- 
freesboro' they were beaten by General Rosecrans in a three days' 
battle, which began December 31. 

"West of the Mississippi, a Union victory was won at Pea-Ridge 
(March 7 and 8), and nine months afterward, another at Prairie Grove. 

" The Confederate posts on the Mississippi, as far as Vicksburg, suc- 
cessively yielded to the Federals, and Admiral Farragut opened the 
river from its mouth to New Orleans (April 25), of which city General 
Butler took military possession. 

"On the Atlantic coast General Burnside and Commodore Golds- 
borough captured Roanoke Island, and before the end of April nearly 
the whole coast of North Carolina was at the mercy of the Federals, 
who also had reduced Fort Pulaski. The Confederate ram Merrimack 
after a day's havoc among the Union vessels in Hampton Roads (March 
8), Avas driven back to Norfolk by the 3Ionitor. 

"In Virginia, the Army of the Potomac, under McClellan, compelled 
the Confederates to evacuate York town, beat them at Williamsburg, 
repulsed them near Fair Oaks and Seven Pines (May 31). Meanwhile 
Stonewall Jackson drove the Federals from the Shenandoah Valley, and 
then joined General Lee before Richmond. Lee then, in a seven days' 
campaign of almost constant lighting, raised the siege of the Confed- 
erate capital, pursuing McClellan to the James, where the latter repulsed 
the Confederates, with great loss, at Malvern Hill (July 1). The Con- 
federates next moved against the Army of Virginia, commanded by 
General Pope, and, after a series of conflicts, beginning at Cedar 
Mountain and ending at Chantilly (September 1), compelled Pope to fall 
back within the defences of Washington. Lee next invaded Maryland. 
McClellan gained a victory over him at South Mountain, and by the 
great battle of Antietam (September 17) forced the Confederates, who 
had meanwhile captured Harper's Ferry, back to Virginia. Burnside 
superseded McClellan, and was badly defeated, at Fredericksburg 
(December 13). 

"During the summer the Sioux War broke out. It was suppressed 
the next year. 

1863. 

" President Lincoln signalized the opening of the year war by issuing 
the Emancipation Proclamation. 

"In Virginia, General Hooker superseded Burnside, and Avas severely 
beaten at Chancellorsville (May 2, 3) by Lee, who soon after set out for 



The Civil War. 415 

a second invasion of the loyal States. General Meade superseded 
Hooker, beat Lee in the great and decisive battle of Gettysburg (July 1, 
2, 3), and pursued hira into Virginia. 

" Vicksburg was surrendered to General Grant (July 4), and a few 
days later Port Hudson to General Banks. 

"The Federals, under Rosecrans, were defeated at the Chickaraauga 
(September 19 and 20), and besieged in Chattanooga. The siege was 
raised, and the enemy thoroughly defeated by Grant, in a three days' 
battle, beginning November 23. Soon after the Confederates were 
repulsed before Knoxville by Burnside. 

1864. 

" Among the earlier events were the expedition to Meridian, the Fort 
Pillow massacre, the Red River expedition, and a Federal defeat at 
Olustee, Florida. 

"Grant was appointed to the chief command of the Union armies, 
and, crossing the Rapidan with the Array of the Potomac (May 4), met 
the enemy in bloody conflicts in the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania, the 
North Anna, and Cold Harbor. Then crossing the James (June 14), 
joined by Butler from Fortress Monroe, he laid siege to Petersburg and 
Richmond. The Confederates made a third invasion of Maryland. 
They were soon obliged to retreat, but hovered near the Potomac till 
General Sheridan, in a brilliant campaign, ending in the victory of 
Cedar Creek (October 19), closed the war in the Shenandoah Valley. 

"In the west. General Sherman made his famous march to the sea. 
Setting out (May 6) from Chattanooga, he fought heavy battles, the 
severest being at Resaca, Dallas, and Kenesaw Mountain, and captured 
Atlanta (September 2) ; then sweeping through Georgia to the sea, he 
carried Fort McAllister by assault, and took Savannah (December 21). 
Meanwhile the Confederates had been successfully resisted at Franklin, 
and disastrously routed at Nashville (December 15 and 16) by General 
Thomas. 

" In June the notorious privateer Alabama was captured. In August 
Admiral Farragut won a victory in Mobile Bay. 

1865. 

"Fort Fisher, North Carolina, was captured (January 15). Sherman 
swept northward through South Carolina; drove the Confederates from 
Columbia; compelled them to evacuate Charleston; then pressing for- 
ward into North Carolina, beat them at Averysboro' and at Bentonville, 
and entered Goldsboro' (March 23). 

April 3, the Union troops occupied both Petersburgh and Richmond. 
Before the end of May all the Southern army surrendered. 



^itd llotcs. 



The Records of Oxford. 
Bernon, the Founder of the French Settlement in Oxford. 

In 1685 Gabriel Bernon, the rich merchant of La Rochelle, in the 
height of persecution was imprisoned for some mouths. A memorial of 
his imprisonment is still i^reserved by oue of his descendants, a Frencli 
Psalter* of minute size presented to him 1)y a fellow prisoner in the 
tower of La Lanterne. On his release from imprisonment he escaped 
from France to Holland. Esther Le Roy, his wife, endeavored to 
accompany him, but was arrested in the attempt, but afterward with 
her children, rejoined him in Holland. 

Bernon's goods were seized October 13, 1685. His imprisonment ex- 
tended from this date to May, 1686, as shown in a document dated La 
Rochelle, 10 May, 1686, giving the condition of his affairs on his release. 
A portion of his estate was transmitted to his bankers in Amsterdam. 
He left Holland with his family in February, 1687, for London. 

Gabriel Bernon was married to Esther, daughter of Francois Le Roy 
of La Rochelle. In a little packet (among the manuscripts of Gabriel 
Bernon) sealed with the Bernon arms, is enclosed the following paper: 
"Esther Le Roy was born the 9th of September, 1652, between 2 and 3 
o'clock in the morning. She was baptized in church on the 10th of the 
following November by the Rev. Mr. Flaug ; godfather, my brother-in- 
law; godmother, Olive Cosse, cousin german to my wife." (This little 
manuscript would appear to be written by the father of Esther Le Roy). 

Soon after his arrival in New England, he was engaged in the manu- 
facture of various naval stores for exportation to England. 

His success in this manufacture attracted a government agent, who 
had been sent over by the Earl of Portland to ascertain what advantages 
existed in the American Colonies for supplying the royal fleet with these 
articles. Mr. Bernon proceeded at once to England, in 169^, hoping to 
obtain from the English government a patent for the manufacture of 
such naval stores. He was well received in London by Lord Portland 
and by Lord Carmarthen, president of the royal council. He succeeded 
in securing a contract with the government for a certain number of 
years. 

Bernon made a second visit to Loudon in December, 1696. The fol- 
lowing spring he returned to Boston, in company with Governor Belle- 
mont, "to whom he had been introduced and strongly recommended, 
while in England, by the Earl of Galway and other distinguished persons. 
Lord Bellemont entered heartily into his plans for the encouragement of 
colonial products, and urged upon the royal council the expediency of 



*0n the heavy silver clasp of the book are the initials "T. D." of the original 
owner. 



Biographical Sketches. 410 

appoiutiug Beruou to superintend the manufacture of uaval stores." "It 
was brought again and again to the notice of the Lords of Trade (but 
without success.)" 

Meanwhile, as early as 1692, Beruon's indomitable energies were en- 
gaged with Faneuil and Louis Allaire in the commerce with Pennsylvania 
and Virginia, exporting goods to England and the West Indies, in part- 
nership with other Boston merchants ; and joining Charles de la Tour 
in the peltry trade with Nova Scotia. He was interested in the manu- 
facture of nails, in the making of salt, and in building and purchasing of 
ships.* 

After a residence of nine years in Boston, Bernon leaves Boston in 
1697, for Newport, K. I., where he remained some years. Madame 
Bernon died at Newport, June 14, 1710, aged 56 years. And her grave- 
stone is still to be seen in the old church-yard at Newport. He then 
removed to Providence, and subsequently to Kingstown, but in 1718 he 
returned to Providence. For a short time after the death of Madame 
Bernon he resided at Newport, and then commenced making investments, 
by purchases, in the Narragansett country, with a view to residing in 
No. Kingstown. The ruins of his house still remain. In these days the 
great road for travel from Boston to New York followed the shore, and 
was sometimes known as the Peqnot path, and Wickford as Updike. 
Newtown and Tower Hill were two of the principal places of business. 
Bernon purchased of Ludowick Updike a wharf lot at Wickford, built a 
wharf, a warehouse and a sloop. 

While in Kingstown he was active in support of St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church, of which the noted Dr. James McSparrau was rector. Bernon 
was elected one of the vestry of St. Paul's, in 1718. 

A letter addressed by Richard Coote, Earl of Belleraout, to Mr. Bernon, 
dated New York, November 23, 1698 C Bernon papers, translation from 
the French) : 

"Sir: I am sorry to learn that you have left New England for the 
purpose of residing in Rhode Island. Mr. Campbell told me the news, 
which afflicts me much, since I had desire to cultivate all possible friend- 
ship with you when I shall arrive at Boston. 

"I am ashamed for not having written you sooner, but, I assure you, 
it has not been for want of esteem, but solely from having been continu- 
ally occupied by the alTairs of ray government. If you tind occasion to 
come and establish yourself here in this town, I shall do all I possibly 
can for your encouragement. 



*It would appear that Bernon, like other refugees who were "men of estates" 
in France, received remittances from La Rochelle, through his correspondents. 



420 The Records of Oxford. 

"I shall not forget the recommendation of you by the Count of Gal- 
way ; and I am truly and strongly disposed to respond to it by all good 
offices. I shall be very glad to see you here, for the purpose of con- 
versing with you upon certain affairs which relate to the service of the 
King. 

"I am, with true esteem and friendship, 

"Your very humble servant, 

"Bkllemont. 
"For Mr. Bernon, a French merchant, Rhode Island." 

Bernou was truly a loyal subject to the crown of England and it was 
with displeasure he viewed the French Protestants of New York uniting 
with the opponents to Governor Bellemout's policy. 

Mr. Bernou accepted Governor Bellemout's invitation and visited New 
York the following March, and was received with great courtesy and 
every mark of consideration. 

Extracts from Charles W. Baird, D.D.'s History of the Emigra- 
tion OF THE Huguenots. 

Gabriel Bernon was born at La Rochelle, France, April 6, 1644. He 
was descended from a family of great antiquity in Burgundy, "tracing 
its lineage to the earliest centuries of the French monarchy." The 
Bernons of La Rochelle possessed an independent claim to nobility, for 
they had furnished several mayors to the city, and according to ancient 
usage, this office conferred much rank upon the occupant and upon his 
heirs forever. Gabriel Bernon was hereditary register of La RochoUe. 
For many generations the family had been of high position in rank and 
of large estates. 

In the sixteenth century they are mentioned as contributing for the 
ransom of the sons of Francis I., held as hostages by Spain after the 
battle of Pavia ; and as sending a sum of money to Henry IV. by the 
hands of Duplessis Mornay, to assist him in gaining his crown.* 

The Bernons of La Rochelle were among the first in that city to em- 
brace the Reformed religion. 

The branch of the family to which Andr6, the father of Gabriel, be- 
longed, was distinguished (1542) as that of Bernon de Bernonville, a 
designation which was borne by his elder brother Leonard. 

Another branch known as the Bernons de la Bernoniere, seigneurs de 
rislean, was also attached to the Protestant faith. 



*The Bernon arms are "d'azur A un chevron d'argent surmonte d'un croissant 
de m^me, accompagne en chef de deux 6toiles d'or, et en pointe d'un ours pas- 
sant de mSme."— Filleau. 



Biographical Sketches. 421 

Andre Bernon, the father of Gabriel Beruon, was a merchant of La 
Rochelle; died some years before the Revocation. He was living at the 
time of Gabriel's marriage, when he signed the marriage contract, 23d 
August, 1673. His wife, Susanne Guilleraard, was then already de- 
ceased.* 

"The name de Bernon is found in the year 1191, in the list of families 
who had representatives in the crusades to the Holy Land." 

Transplanted into various provinces of western France, the family 
originated in Burgundy, a younger branch of the house of the Counts of 
Burgundy, resting this belief upon the name, which was borne by 
several of these princes, from the year 895, and upon the conformity of 
its armorial bearings with those that were borne at an early day by the 
Counts of Macon. 

From the fourteenth century, and beginning with Raoul de Beruon, 
the house of Bernon possesses all the documents necessary to establish 
its filiation. t 

"The house of Bernon has formed alliances with some of the most 
illustrious families of the kingdom ; it has rendered military services 
that have not been without distinction ; and it counts among its mem- 
bers superior officers of the greatest merit, both military and naval. 

"It has had several chevaliers of the order of Saint Louis."— Livre 
d'Or de la Noblesse de France. 

According to the pedigree traced by M. Henri Filleau, Raoul Bernon 
" who served with distinction in the wars of his time," married Char- 
lotte de Talmont, and had a son Nicolas, chosen mayor of La Rochelle 
in 1357. Jean, son of Nicolas, was chosen mayor in 1398. Jean 
Thomas, son of Jean, founded the two gentilehoramieres, or manors, of 
"Bernoniere" and " Bernonville." The former derived its name from 
a small chateau in the province of Poitou (now in the department of 
Vendee), and the latter from a chateau on the island of Re Jean-Thomas. 
Left a son Andre, who had two sons, Pierre, sieur de la Bernoniere et 
ITslean, and Jean. The latter, Jean, second son of Andre, had a son 
Andre. M. Filleau has not followed out the line of descent through 
Jean and Andre, the younger branch of the family. 

But from this point the line of descent is traced by M. Crassou as fol- 
lows : Andre Bernon married Catharine du Bouchc in 1545. Their son 
L6onard married Francoise Carre in 1578, and had two sons, Jean, sieur 
de Bernonville, and Andrfi. The younger, Andre, married (1) Jeanne 
Lescour, and (2) Marie Papin in 1605, and had two sons, Leonard, sieur 



*Bernon papers, MS. 

t M. Henri Filleau. Dictionnau'e historiquc et g6nealogique des families de 
I'ancien Poitu. 



422 The Records of Oxford. 

de Bernonville, and Andre, to whom reference is made, and who was 
the father of Gabriel Bernon, the refugee.— (Geoealogie de la famille 
Bernon, a La Rochelle, dressge par M. Joseph Crassou, 1782. 

Translation. 

It appears by an act of 1524, that the house and manor of Pomeraye 
at Perigny was possessed by Peter Bernon; this house and manor 
belongs at the present time [1782] to Mary Susanne Bernon, " the lady 
of the manor," a widow in line of one of his descendants. 

The family of Bernon is found registered with the families of Poitou. 

It is said the name of Bernon occurs in " Froissart's Chronicles." 

Gabriel Bernon, born 16i4, in April, fourth son of Andre, had reached 
the age of 41 at the time of the Revocation. His accounts show a very 
extensive commerce with the principal towns of the provinces,— Poitiers, 
Limoges, Angpuleme, Niort, Chatellerault, Loudun and other places, 
—and a foreign trade with Martinique, St. Christopher, Cayenne and St. 
Domingo. 

In Quebec he had been styled the principal French merchant, and as 
having rendered great service to the colony. 

" It is a pity," wrote de Denonville (the Governor of Canada), " that 
he cannot be converted, as he is a Huguenot ; the bishop wants me to 
order him home this autumn, which I have done, though he carries on 
a large business, and a great deal of money remains due to him here." 

The daughters of Andre and Suzanne Guillemard Bernon were Esther, 
who resided in England; Jeanneton, m. Jean Allaire; Eve, m. Pierre 
Lanceau; Suzanne, m. Paul de Pont; and Marie, m. Benjamin Faneuil. 

There were five sons, Andre, Gabriel, Samuel, Jean and Jacques. 
Andr6, the eldest son, was a wealthy banker; Samuel and Jean, the 
second and third sons of Andre Bernon, renounced the Protestant faith 
—Samuel, sieur de Salins, had changed his faith long before the Revoca- 
tion, in 1660, shortly after his marriage to Marie, daughter of Samuel 
Cottiby, pastor of a church at Poitiers, in Poitou, who abjured Protes- 
tantism. Samuel Bernon resided at Poitiers in Poitou, having acquired 
a large fortune in European and American commerce. Jean, educated 
in the Protestant faith, became a pastor of the Reformed church of 
Saint Just near Marennes in the province of Saintouge, but at the Revo- 
cation he abjured Protestantism; he is now known as Jean, sieur do 
Luneau, and resided in Marennes, or the parish of Saint Just, possess- 
ing an estate. He died in or before the year 1714.* 

* Samuel Bernon continued to be engaged in commerce with Canada, and is 
spoken of as the merchant who carried on the most extensive business. 
Among the few French prose writers who preceded Francis I. and who are 



Biographical Sketches. 433 

The residence of Gabriel Beraon in Providence, near Roger "Williams' 
spring, is thus described in an historical sketch of the life of Gabriel 
Bernon, M.S., by the late Hon. Zachariah Allen, LL.D. : 

" Hon. Gabriel Bernon built a house somewhat after the French style, 
with a bold jet arching over the street. The house was framed of 
wood, two stories in front and three in the rear, and for that early day 
was doubtless one of the best structures in the town. The spring 
which attracted the attention of Roger Williams, and allured him to 
turn the prow of his canoe toward it, is well remembered by the writer. 
It gushed forth from the earth in a copious stream that flowed into the 
adjacent river." 

The location of Bernon's ancient home in Providence is perfectly well 
remembered. It was on the plot of ground of the original "Roger 
Williams' spring," on the west side of North Main Street, and next 
north of his great-grandson Governor Philip Allen's residence. Almost 
directly opposite Bernon's house, on the east side of Main Street, was 
the mansion of Roger Williams, next to which, though at a later day, 
was King's Church, now St. John's, on the corner of Main and Church 
Streets. 

An aged lady of Providence perfectly recollected Mr. Bernon, and had 
spoken of him to her daughter, who was living in 1844, aged eighty- 
three years. Bernon was described as "a man of very gentlemanly 
manners and as wearing a scarlet coat trimmed with gold lace," and the 
ladies of his family wore very "superb brocades." 

Bernon is represented as slight, tall and very erect in liis person, with 
a commanding appearance, blended with most courtly manners, for 
which "the descendant of the princely house of Burgundy" was distin- 
guished. 

Extracts from a letter which Gabriel Bernon received from his brother 
Samuel Bernon, dated Poitiers, Sept., 1714 : 

"You may have heard of the death of our playmate and cousin of 
Bernonville. Thus of the Bernon name, the males of our family are the 
only ones remaining in the world. Our sister, Fran^oise Esther, who 



named as great historians is Froissart, who was interested in all the events and 
personages of his day. At one time Froissart " fell in at Pamiers with a good 
knight, Messire Espaing of Lyons who had been in all the wars of the time and 
managed the great affairs of princes. They set out to travel together, Messire 
Espaing telling his comrade what he knew about the history of the places 
whereby they passed, and Froissart taking great care to ride close to him for 
to hear his words. Every evening they halted at hostels where they drained 
flagons full of white wine as good as the good canon had ever drunlv in his life, 
then after drinking, as soon as the knight was weary of relating, the chronicler 
wrote down just the substance of his stories."— History of France, M. de Guizot. 



424 The Records of Oxford. 

complains much of you, is in good health, as well as our sister-in-law, 
and Andrew Bernon, her son. Andrew has a numerous family, and all 
of its members arc wealthy, as well as Mr. du Petit Val, and our nephew, 
De Pont.* 

"I have four grown daughters and a boy who has gone through his 
course of philosophy at Paris, whom I have recalled to this place to 
make him pursue law studies; my eldest daughter I married six months 
ago to a very houoi*able man of one of the best families of this country, 
whose name is Mr. De la Chaize Peraut, who has a good estate, and is a 
gentleman. I have three left, who will easily marry, as they are fine 
looking girls." 

Newport, Rhode Island, in 1706, was much engaged in commerce with 
the West Indies at this period. Tradition states that Gabriel, the only 
son of Gabriel Bernon by his first marriage, embarked for the West 
Indies in a vessel under the command of one Captain Tripe, which was 
lost during a snowstorm on leaving the bay and all on board perished. 

Gabriel Bernon was much interested "in the formation of the first 
three Episcopal churches in Rhode Island, — Trinity Church in Newport, 
St. Paul's Church in Kingstown, and St. John's Church in Providence." 

"In the summer of 1724 — in his 81st year — he crossed the ocean for 
the purpose of representing to the Bishop of London and the Society for 
the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the necessities of the 
congregation in Providence, and the importance of sending a compe- 
tent minister to that thriving town." 

Family tradition states while in Loudon Mr. Bernon was presented 
at the Court of St. James. 

There in his peaceful home he is represented as teaching his young 
English wife and children "the devotional verses he had composed in 
his native tongue, corresponding with Dean Berkley at Newport, and 
inditing his (Christian) reflections upon "Thomas a Kempis " and 
" Drelincourt's Consolations." Bishop Berkley in a letter to Mr. 
Bernon, written in French (after thanking him for his beautiful prose 
and his belle po6sie), writes, "Your reflections on the events of this 
world show a very laudable zeal for religion and the glory of God." 
Indeed, thi'ough all his trials, and they were many, Mr. Bernon uniformly 
sustained the character of a Christian gentleman. In his own words, it 
was his most fervent desire to sustain himself in the fear of God. 

From a Boston newspaper dated February 19, 1735-6 : 

"Obituary notice of Gabriel Bernon, one of the founders of the 
Oxford Colony in Massachusetts, and afterwards a settler of the Narra- 
gansett country of Rhode Island." 



*Andr6 De Pont. 



Biographical Sketches. 435 

" He was decently buried under the Epis. ch., in Providence & a g't 
concourse of people attended his funeral to whom the Rev. Mr. Brown 
preached an agreeable sermon from the 39th Psalm 4th verse, "Lord 
make me to know mine end & the measure of my days what it is that I 
may know how frail I am." 

In a "Will" of Gabriel Bernon dated February 10, 17ii7-8, proved in 
Providence, Feb. 10, 1735-6, and there recorded, he mentions his first 
marriage and his children by that marriage who survived him, viz. : 
Mary Tourtelot, Esther Powell, Sarah Whipple and Jaue Coddlngton ; 
and also his second marriage, to Mary Harris, and four small children by 
that marriage, viz. : Gabriel (who died young), Susanne, Mary and Eve 
(a most exemplary Xtian young lady who died unmarried and was 
buried in St. John's Church-yard), and Mary in Providence. 

Sarah Bernon was married to Benjamin Whipple of Cumberland, R. 
I., Nov. 11, 1722, the descendants of whom still reside at Cumberland 
and North Providence. 

Jane Bernon was married to Col. William Coddiugton of Newport, 
who was the Governor of Rhode Island. 

Newport, R. I., 3la\j 30, 1713. 

Esther, daughter of Gabriel Bernon, was married to Adam ap Powell.* 

Adam ap Powell was a Welchman. He died at Newport, Dec. 29, 
1725, and was there buried, aged 51 years. Madame Esther died Oct. 
20, 1746, at South Kingstown, and was buried at Tower Hill, R. I., in a 
deserted church-yard, aged 69 years. Elizabeth, their daughter, born 
at Newport, April 8, 1719, was married to Reverend Samuel Seabury of 
New Loudon, Conn., whose son Samuel, by a former marriage, was the 
first English bishop in America. Elizabeth became his stepmother 
when he was five years old. She died Feb. 6, 1799, aged 87 years. f 

Esther, the second daughter of Adam and Esther ap Powell, born in 
Newport, May, 1718, was married, October, 1738, to James Helme, 
chief justice of the Superior Court of Rhode Island. Judge Helme died 
at South Kingstown, March 22, 1764. 

In the Narragansett Country the purchasers set aside three hundred 
acres of the best land as a glebe for a church, and in 1707 the church of 
St. Paul's was erected in Kingstown, the tradition is that much of the 
wood furnishing for the interior of this church was brought fully finished 
from England, and Queen Anne in her sympathy sent to the church a 
silver christening bowl. In the old church records are found the names 



* From Trinity Church Records, Newport. 

tMrs. ap Powell resided first at Newport, R. I., then at Tower Hill, half a 
mile west of Allen's house and store, about two miles southwest of Wickford, 
North Kingstown afterward, with her daughter, Mrs. Helme, at Tower Hill. 



426 The Records of Oxford. 

ot Bemon, Potter, Gardiner, Helme, Arnold, Coddington, Stcart and 
nuuiT other names of distinction who were members of the Chnrch of 
England and were settled preiion? to the year 1700 in the King's Prov- 
ince or Xarragansett Conntrr. This chnrch is the oldest Episcopal 
Church edifice in New England. 

Among its ancient chnrch records a carious and obsolete entry is of 
the '-gossips" at a christening. "March 31st, 1771. Mr. Fayer- 
weather baptized a male child of Mr. Beajamin Xason, by the name of 
Elisba. the gossips being ilr. Bowyer, Mr. Jefferson and the grand- 
Ctther." It is the old Saxon word for sponsor, and is so used by all old 
English writers. Beaomont and Fletcher say in the - Noble Gentleman," 
" m be a gossip. Beauford, I hare an old apostle spoon." 

Tradition states that there are still diaries that hare been preserved 
which refer to Xarragansett hospitality. There were no taverns at this 
date. The distinguished WUIiam Ellery. wrote in 1777, '• October 22nd. 
Bode to Judge Greenes at Warwick and dined, and reached .Judse Pot- 
ters at Kingstown, in evening." With the entry in his diary for the 23d, 
24th and 25th. - Weather Lowering." On the 26th he wrote, '= Weather 
still lowering, and unfit for journeying. Good Quarters in a storm takes of 
its force and renders it less disagreeable. So remain at Judge Potters." 
On the 30th Mr. Ellery took his leave, and Judge Porter rode with him 
several miles, as was the fashion of the time. -Judge Sewall mentions 
in his diary as an extreme discourtesy that in one instance no one rode 
with him when he left as the guest of a friend. 

In the year 1712, at Providence, Bercon was united in a second mar- 
riage to Mary, the daughter of Thomas Harris and grandniece (or grand- 
danghter) of William Harris, who accompanied Roger Williams in the 
settlement of Providence, and landed with him at What-cheer. Mr. 
Bemon sent to England for a clergyman of the English church to perform 
the marriage ceremony. In relation to Mr. Bemon's family by his 
second marriage, in the records of the Narragansett church is the fol- 
lowing entry: July 11, 1721, baptized Marj- and Eve Bemon. 

Mr. Bemon had at this time a daughter Mary by his first marriage 
still living. Bemon is now represented by the descendants of a numer- 
ous family of daughters, who may be traced in some of the most distin- 
guished families of Rhode Island. 

The children of Gabriel Bemon and his second wife, Mary Harris, 
were Gabriel, Susanne, JIary and Eve. 

Gabriel died young. 

Eve, the third daughter of Gabriel Bemon, baptized July 11, 1721, 
died, unmarried; in 1775. 

Mary, daughter of Gabriel and Mary Bemon, bom April 1, 1719, mar- 
ried Gideon, a brother of Joseph Crawford: she died Oct. 1, 1789. They 



, -_.^ i- . . ,: . 


.:_.: r:i^i» 


iTid ilso xjj^. S-:!: 


:iv»-i I>^TT-5 


,"'ei:r'ie5. Fr^." -- ' 


? - f il^i? 



had sexen sons si - - - - - 

CunilT cf Mr?, y ' -: . - : 

remoT- 

Sri>i^_. i: .; J : -. i; •: -.-:.-::: !"^:- 

laganseTt couiiirT in the : - ; Old S»- PaaTs in ITlt 
foaneen mll^^ froni Waiei.; -. . ; _£ "was ssniad 'xO Jotserl . : ^ . . _ 
in ProTidence.. Auffost 2o, 17S4. Jc>5epii -was ibe *os oi" WiZism Crair- 
ioi>i and gr^r ^- - ; ^ ; :^ ;:—';-' :" " :- : -- - ' - Tf:: ?: :::z 
ancesiTT. 

She died rirrUiTT IS- 1: - - _ -;ii je^iJ^- J :>;:.. - - 

sance Crawford iiad n:::ie . . zrire^T of ^b>rr ^ 

June 25. ITSi*. was znarrled. Ji_-irT, i77>, :o Z 

April 4. ISSl, sg^ed sixTT-ore T-;^5. ?i: :!:rr. S: _ 

sis cMIdi^n : I-Tdia, Acs. 1 *.i. 

From this marriasre are _.-,- - 

Alien and Hon. Zachsiriaii Allen, LLJ)., 
lamilT. Th; - • .? of ^^:^i::?^^^sle. 
trace their . 



Extract fscm Lettess or x^^.'^. ^aCh.jlkt\h Aij_e>* to M. ps W. 

••Pkotipkxce- /k*?. lSi?l. 

"Mt srandfaxher Crawfoni marrieHi Snsasne Ber::o2, the danchwr i^f 
GsbiieL who was St^ years old ax tbeiisie of hei death. She resiesabered 
her feiher, and I rcr..fT:.-er her weL; so that as mj aire of >? j-ears. 
these lives date ; first fonnding of P^OTideI>^? in liS^t;. This 

illustrates how ,..._;..elT receni is ihe first sertleraeEX of Xew 

England. Gabriel Bemon is buried imdex Sx. John's Chnreh in Pivvi- 
dence, where his remains I hare cansed xo be imeircd in a xomb wixh ss 
inscriptioa; and ia the chnrch our faaailv hare >'>:ned jo hare ms^i? a 
large bronze tablet, with suitable inscriptions. When t : . : ? 

Providence this might interest you, perhsps. 

"Tour suirsestion of meeting so22e of the Hagsenot descei:.;^.:::* for a 
reunion at the scene of the arsriert settlement is very pleasant ; for it will 
add to the inteixist of the c. . > shich will be nearly a bs-cejatenmal 

celebration. 

"With r?5ard I rer-.v. 

"Tours truly. 

"Zachakiah Aujk.^' 



428 llie Records of Oxford. 

"Providence, JulySOth, 1881. 
" Mrs. Mary de Witt Freeland : 

" The ancient sword of Gabriel Bernon, now in the possession of 
(Master) Philip Allen of Providence. 

"It was received from his daughter, Susannah (Bernon) Crawford, 
by ray brother, Gov. Philip Allen, and by hira at his death given to his 
son, Charles B. Allen, who gave it to his son, Philip Allen. He carried 
it with hira to add interest to the celebration on meraorial day at (Ox- 
ford) the very spot where it had been worn at the fort. I remember 
this sword when it was liept in a drawer of the chamber where I slept 
while a child, more than seventy-five years ago. The authenticity of 
the sword, as belonging to Mr. Bernon, is further confirmed by the 
Sewall Papers, 1707, vol. ii., page 262, in Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. vi., fifth 
series, in the following words : Judge Sewall records, " As I came from 
Charlestown Lecture I met Mr. Bernon in Sudbury Street; he turn'd 
from me and would not have seen me; but I spoke to him. Quickly 
after I saw Col. Vitch in the Council Chamber, and said to him, Mr. 
Bernon is in town, as I told you he would. I observed him at Sir 
Charles's Muster, when he went around with a sword by his side among 
the governor's attendants."* Probably the reason for his turning away 
from Judge Sewall was disgust for him in condemning the women to be 
hung in Salem for witchcraft, which he did do. 

Bernon's sword is in tue possession of his descendants, bearing the 
date on the blade the figures "14 14" It is said this date is the same 
with that of one of the wars of the house of Burgundy, from which the 
Bernons clairaed to be descended. 

Delfius relates that "in 1414, John the Intrepid came to Burgundy, 
with twenty thousand horse, and reduced all the fortified of Tonnerre 
and gave them to his son Philip." 

"The Hon. Zachariah Allen, LL.D.. son of Anne Crawford, who mar- 
ried Zachariah Alien, and grandson of Susanne, daughter of Gabriel 
and Mai"y Bernon, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, September 15, 
1795, and died in that city, March 17, 1882, in the eighty-seventh year of 
his age. He was graduated in 1813 at Brown University, and subse- 
quently pursued a course of study in law and medicine. He was married 
in 1817 to Eliza Harriet, daughter of Welcome Arnold, Esq., of Provi- 
dence." 

Hon. Zachariah Allen, LL.D., was President of the Rhode Island 
Historical Society. 



* Tn 1709, Judge Sewall in his Diary mentions Mr. Bernon : 
"I observ'd he was at Sir Charles' Muster, and went round the Body with his 
sword by his side, followed by the Govrs. Attendants." 



Biographical Sketches. 429 

Extracts from Huguenot Ancestry by ex-Gov. Dyer, 
Providence, R. I. 

On October 26, 1843, Gov. Dyer arrived at Havre accompanied by 
Mrs. Dyer and his sister. " On the succeeding day we took our depart- 
ure for Paris via Rouen, remaining there sufficient time for visiting its 
far-famed cathedral and other places of interest, after which we resumed 
our seats in the diligence for Paris, where we arrived October 27th. 

" All of our early childhood had been cheered and brightened by our 
honored and endeared mother's narratives of her life and uninterrupted 
associations with her grandmother, Esther Tourtellot, who was the 
great-granddaughter of Gabriel Bernon, who resided in the gambrel- 
roofed brick house, which stood, until within a few years, near the 
junction of Benefit and North Main Streets, the old elm tree now remain- 
ing there being in her grandmother's yard. I will not hazard the sup- 
position of its being planted by her, as I do not know its origin. I 
think now that my mother's ready acquiescence in my younger sister's 
absence from home, was the hope and wish that we might by some 
favorable circumstance be known by, and associated with, the members 
of her grandmother's family then living in Bordeaux and La Rochelle, 
which I had promised should be faithfully and as extensively accom- 
plished as time, health and other circumstances would possibly allow. 

" I arranged with the Hon. Henry Ledyard, at Paris, Charge d'Aflfivires, 
in the absence of our minister (his father-in-law, Gen. Lewis Cass, who 
was then in the United States), for my presentations at the King's 
reception for gentlemen, early in December. 

" We arrived at Bordeaux early on the day we left Paris, after a most 
interesting diligence ride through Orleans. We passed through many 
old walled towns, under the portcullis, to the entrance, through narrow 
streets, lighted by lanterns suspended by ropes across them. 

"Before leaving Paris, I was fortunate in securing the services, as 
courier and travelling servant, of Joseph Henner, a man of an agreea- 
ble personal prestige and manner. He was of superior education, and 
more than ordinarily familiar with several languages. The next day, 
with Henner, we thoroughly searched Bordeaux for some representa- 
tive of the Tourtellot family, but could not find any person or recognize 
the name in the place. My next object of research was the Bernon 
family at La Rochelle. 

" We left the next morning for that quaint, old, highly interesting 
place. When leaving home, my mother gave me the history of the 
Huguenot ancestry which she had received from her grandmother. It 
was in English, but Henner's ability and intelligence most satisfactorily 
translated it into French. 



43° The Records of Oxford. 

"At breakfast the next morning I told Henner to inquire of the 
waitress and landlady if they knew of any family by the name of Bernon 
in the place. They promptly replied, ' Yes.' There was Madame la 

veuve Bernon, living at No. — , Rue . The name of the street and 

number I have forgotten. 

" After arranging my papers and toilet very critically, Henner and I 
started out on our most interesting and exciting mission. We readily 
found the place, and ringinir the bell, it was answered by a very comely 
and neatly dressed maid in the peculiar Normandy costume and cap. 
We inquired if Madame Bernon was at home. She very hesitatingly 
assented. Henner, as instructed, told her to say to her mistress that a 
young American gentleman, a descendant of Gabriel Bernon, wished to 
see her. The girl rapidly returned and said her mistress did not wish 
to see the gentleman, and to inform him that there was no property of 
any kind remaining undisposed of. 

" As she was closing the door, Henner said : ' My master is a gentle- 
man "rentier," travelling for pleasure, with sufficient resources. He 
does not wish to inquire for any property, but only to see the members 
of his ancestor's family now living. His wife and sister are now in 
Paris, and he is to return immediately for preparation for his presenta- 
tion to the court next week.' This information was communicated to 
madame, who requested us to call again at four o'clock that afternoon. 

"I should have said that my companions were so interested in this 
quaint old city that they preferred a thorough investigation of it rather 
than to accompany me in the questionable success of seeking for old 
family representatives and associations. 

"Punctually at four o'clock I was at the house again, and was form- 
ally, with great civility and ceremony, ushered into the parlor, where I 
met a very fine looking lady, of about fifty years of age, I should sup- 
pose, rather short and stout, with as bright complexion and cheerful 
countenance as one of twenty-five or thirty. As a companion there was 
a gentleman, probably seventy years of age, who was introduced to me 

as Dr. . I soon realized that his presence was as a counsellor and 

advisor in any result that might succeed our interview. I understood 
sufiicient French to know what passed between them. In order to 
relieve them from any restraint or embarrassment, I told Henner to ask 
her if my papers had been examined. She replied yes, and they were 
incorrect. She ordered her servant to bring from its lockup receptacle 
her husband's lengthy genealogy in French, and referring to it, she 
observed to her counsellor, that it declared a Gabriel Bernon went to 
America and died there, leaving no posterity. I told Henner to call her 
attention to other parts of the paper, and she would find a correct 
account of his family, and to say to the doctor that it was a very natural 



Biographical Sketches. 431 

mistake to make in the difficulty and infrequency of being able to com- 
municate with his family in France, if there was no emergency requir- 
ing it. He very readily assented to Henner's explanation, and called 
madame's attention to it, and other parts of the paper's correctness. I 
had with me also from my mother, a seal representative of the Bernon 
coat of arms, and asked for hers. It was brought, with a lighted candle 
and sealing wax, which the doctor took and very expertly made several 
impressions of each. Again madame denied any similarity of the one 
to the other. The doctor said : ' You are very much mistaken, madame ; 
it is precisely the same,' and pointed out critically the designation of 
each. "With that peculiar French shrug of the shoulders she exclaimed : 
' Mon Dieu, is it possible? ' I told Heuner to repeat to them the infor- 
mation he had given to the maid in the morning, of my personal posi- 
tion and intended court presentation. He, the doctor, seemed perfectly 
satisfied with all that occurred. After an hour had passed, unwilling to 
trespass further upon their courtesy, time and attention, or to make any 
intrusive inquiry as to their own personal history, I retired, making 
proper acknowledgment for their kind and courteous manner of my 
reception and somewhat protracted interview. 

" As I was passing to the door, she expressed her gratification at see- 
ing me, and gave me as a souvenir the copy of the French genealogy 
which had been the subject of the consideration. It was printed on the 
thickest and strongest paper, of ordinary foolscap form, but quadruple 
in its size. The type was in ordinary form, but nearly as large as capi- 
tals. They very kindly informed me that another family connected with 
Gabriel Bernon resided elsewhere in La Rochelle, and advised me seeing 
them. I told her I would call upon them the next day at twelve o'clock, 
noon. 

'• At the hour appointed and place mentioned, Henner and myself 
were present, and found a family of three ladies, sisters, nearly con- 
nected with Gabriel Bernon; two being maiden ladies, the other, 
Madame Steinman, who was confined to her bed with a very severe 
illness, which eventually proved fatal. I was much impressed and 
gratified on being informed that Madame Bernon and the doctor had 
notified this family of my presence and identity, in recognition of which, 
I was invited into Madame Steinman's sick chamber, upon the walls of 
which was suspended the original of the portrait now in possession of 
my son, Gabriel Bernon Dyer. 

"Madame Steinman told me of her having a son residing in New 
York. I was also informed by the ladies that Baron de Bernon was 
then living in the Chateau Guillemard, in Bourbon-Vendee, whom they 
had also informed of the presence of an American descendant of Gabriel 
Bernon, whose identity could be satisfactorily confirmed. In a short 



432 The Records of Oxford. 

time after this I received a kind and courteous invitation to visit him, 
in which he advised me of the route and time it would require for me so 
doing. He had been likewise made aware of my wife and younger 
sister being then in Paris awaiting my return for our presentation at 
court within a short time. This I assigned as the necessity of my 
declining his kind invitation. 

"After his receipt of my inability of seeing him at his chateau, I 
received a most characteristic letter with proposals of marriage between 
his son of suitable age, and my sister, stating that his son would suc- 
ceed him as the inheritor of his titles and estates. He inquired rather 
minutely what dowry my sister would bring with her, offering to dupli- 
cate it for the benefit of the young people. 

"This was a most unexpected issue of his courtesy and our corres- 
pondence, and one somewhat difficult of proper action. My reply was 
expressive of the great honor he had done my family in his proposal. 
I assured him of its being most gratefully appreciated by all interested, 
and expressed the great reluctance I felt in communicating to him the 
inability of my family to regard it with approval. As my sister was 
the only member at home with my parents, who were somewhat 
advanced in life, her separation from them would create the most pain- 
ful emotions; and I was apprehensive that much more serious results 
would be realized in her leaving them under any circumstances, 
especially those then existing. The time and distance of any inter- 
change of communication or visiting to and from home were too great 
and difficult, if not hazardous, and necessarily attendant upon the 
separation which the acceptance of his proposal would require; my 
reply, that I should be unable to visit him, terminated our corres- 
pondence. 

" I should have stated that my most courteous reception and gratify- 
ing recognition by the Bernon ladies were due, in a great degree, to the 
kindness of Monsieur Paul Louis Armand Auboyneau, a graduate of 
Brown University in 1799, to whom all my papers and pretensions had 
been submitted by the last-named family. As a student at Brown 
University he had been a frequent guest and visitor to my mother's 
family. His recollections of her as Miss Frances Jones were vivid and 
highly flattering, as he referred to her personal appearance, manners 
and address. He fully verified all that I had said or done in the matter 
under consideration, and, as expressive of it, requested my presence at 
his family gathering, at dinner or tea, the next day. The former I 
declined, apprehensive of its formality in my limited ability for the 
maintenance of the conversation usually connected with that entertain- 
ment. At the tea-table I was introduced to his family, and passed the 
most delightful evening in giving him the most recent information of 



Biogra-phical Sketches. 433 

his former friend and associates, of many of whom he had not heard 
since his graduation, half a century previous (forty-four years). 

"As he recalled many of them, it was a sad reply I had to make 
(' dead, sir'). Of their families I could say more. On my return home, 
I sent to him the last tax-book, Providence Directory, and the annual 
and triennial catalogues of Brown University. 

" To return to the Bernon ladies. As one of the maiden sisters 
accompanied me to the door, I referred as delicately as I could to the 
inexpressible pleasure which some souvenir of their kindness would 
give my family at home. She promptly apprehended my meaning, and 
asked if I had particularly noticed the portrait in the sick sister's cham- 
ber. I replied I had been so engrossed with the presence of those about 
me that I had not. She led me back to the room and pointing to the 
portrait said : ' There is our most valuable souvenir of the past.' Any 
further reference to it would have been inappropriate and ill-advised, 
although when at Monsieur Auboyneau's I expressed a wish for a copy 
of it. I asked him if such a request would be intrusive or unwelcome. 
He replied : ' I will see and let you know.' Soon after our return home 
the copy was sent through his and their generous kindness, without cost 
of any kind to me. Soon after its receipt Madam Steinraan's death 
occurred, of which formal notice was sent to ray family, that they might 
be present at her obsequies. With this notice of her death and the 
invitation was inclosed a lock of her hair. 

"These recognitions of our connection with Gabriel Bernon and his 
family were as gratifying, if not affecting, as had been my personal 
interviews. In all of my intercourse with the difl'erent families I had 
referred to our frequent adoption of the Bernon names, my maternal 
grandmother being Esther Jones, and this was also the name of one of 
my mother's sisters. My grandmother's brother was Bernon Dunn ; 
my mother and an elder sister were named Frances, from Francois Le 
Roy, Gabriel Bernon's father-in-law; another, Esther, and my son, 
Gabriel Bernon, concludes the list. An account of the two court 
receptions, and of further travels in Italy, etc., would be interesting, 
but irrelevant to this paper. In closing, however, I offer a tribute to 
the hallowed and endeared memory of one who, through the entirety of 
a protracted, active and unusually eventful life, was the expressive 
possessor and most faithful exponent of the highest, brightest, purest 
and best attributes of an exalted Christian character. And whatever 
meritorious distinction my family may have, or can acquire, as descend- 
ants of such an honorable and distinguished ancestry, is also due to the 
direction and control of a mother of the most exalted quality of charac- 
ter that could adorn and elevate humanity; my family and myself sor- 



434 ^'^^^ Records of Oxford. 

rowfully realizing tliat iu ' tliis wide world's space, there is, indeed, one 
vacant place.'" 

Mrs. Freeland : 

My Dear Madam.— Your favor of the thirteenth ult., addressed to 
my father, has been duly received, and as he has commissioned me, by 
reason of continued ill-health, to furnish what information we may be 
able to give you concerning our Gallic ancestors, I hasten to answer 
your request. My parents were second cousins prior to their marriage, 
and I am thus doubly descended from the Bernon and Tourtelot families. 

Through the union of Esther Tourtelot and Samuel Dunn, we are 
descended from the families which you mention in your letter, and the 
relationship to which I alluded as existing between my parents arose 
from two of their daughters (Esther aud Anne Dunn) marrying respect- 
ively Thomas and William Jones. The younger brother was Governor 
of our State for several years in the early part of this century, and was 
my mother's grandfather, his only surviving daughter, Harriet Dunn 
Jones, having married the late Thomas Hoppiu. Thomas Jones was 
father of my father's mother and she became the wife of the first Elisha 
Dyer in the year eighteen hundred. Through his grandparent am I 
descended in nearly the same course and in the same number of genera- 
tions from Roger Williams, the founder of our State. We have the 
coat of arms of Bernon and Tourtelot families. We have also a portrait 
of Marie Sara Bernon, a niece of Gabriel Bernon, who married Paul de 
Pont, and who was in La Rochelle during the siege of 1661. My father, 
ex-Gov. Elisha Dyer, obtained this painting in eighteen hundred and 

forty-four."* 

I am, dear Mrs. Freeland, 

Yours respectfully, 

G. Bernon Dyer. 
Providence, R. I., ./wne 1, 1881. 

*The portrait, three-fifths length of Madame de Pont, is described as repre- 
senting a very beautiful lady, a brunette, possessing extreme dark brown hair, 
with soft brown eyes; the figure is a full bust, pale complexiou, heightened by 
a delicate tint of color ; her dress is of the court style of the seventeenth century. 
Her frizzed hair appears to be carelessly held in place by a heavy piu of gold 
with a head like a very small comb set with pearls, a veil of lace covering her 
head, and a mantle of the same material falling around her arras, giving to the 
figure an appearance of a floating drapery of lace. 

In the portrait of Madame de Pout there is a close resemblance in style to 
that of the Countess de Grignon, the daughter of the Marquise de S6vign6, who 
was married to the Count de Grignon in 1669, as is shown in an ancient paint- 
ino- by Mi"nard or Petitot, noted artists of the time, only the frizzed hair of 
Countess de Grignon is held apparently in place by a plain lieavy pm of gold, 
to which is fastened on the left side a bouquet, and her neck is encu'cled with a 
pearl necklace. 



Biographical Sketches. 435 

TOURTELOT. 

Abraham Tourtelot from Bordeaux, France, married Marie, daughter 
of Gabriel and Esther (Le Roy) Bernon. (So stated in a deed executed 
June 1, 1699.— Suffolk Deeds, Boston, lib. xix., fol. 179.) 

He joined the Narragansett colony, and after its dissolution removed 
to Roxbury, Massachusetts. 

Children of Abraham* and Marie (Bernon) Tourtelot: Gabriel, born 
Sept. 24, 1694; Esther, born June 12, 1696; Abraham, born 1698. 

In the Suffolk County Probate Records, No. 1618, Boston, Massachu- 
setts, there is on record an administrator's bond, showing that there 
were two brothers, Abraham and Benjamin Tourtelot, who Avere born 
in Bordeaux, France. Benjamin died on the passage in the ship Friend- 
ship, to Boston from London. Abraham administered upon the estate, 
which consisted principally of merchandise. The brothers were asso- 
ciated as merchants. 

Abraham Tourtelot came with his three sons. Jacob, Moses and 
Johnf are recorded with that of Gabriel Bernon in Latin, in a charter or 
patent from King James II., giving a list of names of French refugees 
who accompanied Bernon from London to Boston.— Lib. 14, fol. 212. 

The foregoing Patent was recorded this 20th of July, 1688, at the 
Desire of Mr. Gabriel Bernon, one of the Partys therein mentioned by 
Mr. Tho. Dudley, Clr.— Early Suffolk Deeds, by John T. Hassan. 

Abraham, son of Abraham and Marie (Bernon) Tourtelot, and brother 
of Gabriel Tourtelot, owned a landed estate in Gloucester, R. I., iu the 
county of Providence. 

* Abraham Tourtelot removed with Bernon, hia father-in-law, to Newport, 
Rhode Island. 

In the autumn of 1686, some forty French families made a settlement in 
Rhode Island, having purchased of the Athcrton Company, England, and 
remained some five years. The ownership of lauds in the Narragansett 
counties purchased of this company was proven involved. 

The site is still t^ointed out iu the town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. 

fThe names of Abraham Tourtelot's sons are given in act of naturalization, 
James Moses, James Thomas and John. 

The broad seal of England is appendant. 

Tradition states that Esther, the daughter of Abraham and Marie (Bernon) 
Tourtelot, married a gentleman by the name of Harding of Newport, Rhode 
Island; also, Marie (Bernon) Tourtelot survived her husband and resided with 
her sou Abraham Tourtelot at Gloucester, Rhode Island, to the close of her life. 

Tradition states, the graves of mother and son are still pointed out by some 
of the descendants, though there are no inscriptions on the rude headstones. 

Tradition states, that Gabriel the sou of Abraham and Marie (Bernon) 
Tourtelot, resided at Newport, Rhode Island, and sailed from that place, as 
master of a vessel, with his son, and both were lost at sea. 



436 The Records of Oxford. 

In a family Bible of William Tourtelot, a sou of Abraham Tourtelot, 
Jr., there is the following record of his father : 

Abraham Tourtelot, born in 1698. 

In the Colonial Kecords of Khode Island Abraham Tourtelot Is 
admitted freeman May, 1722. 

Abraham, the second son of Abraham Tourtelot, who came from 
Bordeaux, France, was married llrst to Lydia Ballard; in a second mar- 
riage, Jan. 29, 1743, to a Mrs. Corps, whose name prior to her first 
marriage was Hannah Case. In a third marriage to Mrs. Williams, a 
widow lady. 

Children of Abraham and Lydia (Ballard) Tourtelot: Mary, born 
March 20, 1721, who married a gentleman by the name of Mitchell; 
Lydia and Esther (twins), born Jan. 24, 1723. Lydia married Thomas 
Knowlton. Esther married Samuel Dunn and resided in Boston. 
Abraham, born Feb. 27, 1725, married a Miss Harris, and resided in 
Thompson, Ct. ; Jonathan, born Sept. 16, 1728, married a Miss Williams, 
and resided in Scituate, R. I. ; Benjamin, born Nov. 30, 1730, married a 
Miss Ballard, and resided in Vermont; Sarah married John Inman. 

Children of Abraham Tourtelot by second marriage : Stephen, who 
died young of the small-pox; William, who married Phoebe Whitman of 
Providence, and resided in Gloucester, R. I. ; Jesse, married Freelove 
Angell, and resided in Mendou, Mass., and died in Sutton; Daniel, 
married Urena Keech; resided and died in Gloucester, R. I.; Anne, 
married a Mr. Jones, in a second marriage Ebenezer White, and died in 
Providence, R. I., at a very advanced age. 

Faneuil. 

Benjamin Faneuil, a Huguenot in the Oxford French settlement, was 
the father of Peter Faneuil of Boston. Pierre, a brother of Benjamin 
Faneuil who married Marie the sister of Gabriel Bernon, married Marie 
De Pont. He was the father of two daughters and of Benjamin, Jean 
and Andrew Faneuil who left La Rochelle, France, at the Revocation and 
went to the Colonies. 

First Report of the Record Commissioners, p. 154. The names of Benjamin, 
John, and Andrew Faneuil are in a list headed " Boston, Feb. 1, 1C91. List of 
persons of the French nation admitted into the Colony by the Governour and 
Council." Printed in Sewall's Papers. 

Marie Jeanne, eldest daughter of Peter Faneuil, was married to 
Jacques Bernon of Bernonville. This Bernon branch was of the family 
of Leonard Bernon, a son and daughter of Jacques and Marie. Jeanne 
Bernon deceased without issue. Pierre, a son of Benjamin and Marie 
(Bernon) Faneuil, married Esther Allaire. 

"Francois Burean of La Rochelle, France, came to America in 1688, 



Biographical Sketches. 437 

bringing with him his wife Anne, two sons and two daughters. He was 
the brother of Thomas Burean, one of the principal French merchants 
of London, 'living near y« Savoy great gate in the Strand.' Francois, 
who invariably signed himself Burean I'ainfi, joined the settlement in 
Oxford, and upon the breaking up of that colony removed to New York." 

Anne, the daughter of Francois Burean, became the wife of Benjamin 
Faneuil in 1699 and the mother of Peter Faneuil of Boston. 

Benjamin Faneuil died in New York, 1719, aged 50 years. Jean died 
at La Rochelle, June, 1737. Andrew died in Boston, February, 1737. 

Peter Faneuil was born at New Rochelle in New York, June, 1700; 
his father died when he was eighteen, and subsequently he came to 
Boston. His uncle, Andrew Faneuil, who died in February, 1737-38, 
appointed him his executor and residuary legatee. This large fortune 
came from his uncle. "Last Monday the Corpse of Andrew Faneuil, 
Esquire, whose death we mentioned in our last, was honorably interred 
here," says the Boston News-Letter of February 23, " above 1,100 persons 
of all Ranks, besides the Mourners, following the Corpse ; also a vast 
number of Spectators were gathered together on the Occasion, at which 
time the half-minute guns from on board several vessels were dis- 
charged. And 'tis supposed that as this Gentleman's Fortune was the 
greatest of any among us, so his funeral was as generous and expensive 
as any that has been known here." The nephew did not long enjoy this 
ample wealth. He died in about Ave years, after a short illness, — Feb. 
3, 1742-43, — leaving no will; so that his whole property went to his 
brother, who had been disinherited by Andrew Faneuil, and to his four 
sisters. 

Peter Faneuil was a shrewd, careful, and energetic business man, 
fond of display, and fond of good living. Two or three weeks after 
his uncle's death he wrote to one of his correspondents in London : 
"Send me, by the very first opportunity for this place, five pipes of 
your very best Madeira wine, of an amber color, of the same sort which 
you sent to our good friend DeLancey, of New York." And he adds : 
"As this wine is for the use of my house, I hope you will be careful that 
I have the best. I am not over fond of the strongest sort." About the 
same time he wrote to his New York correspondent : " Send me by the 
first conveyance the pipe of wine, having none good to drink." A fort- 
night later he renewed the order, directing his correspondent to send 
" by the first good opportunity the best pipe of wine that you can pur- 
chase." And a month afterward, when he had received it, he wrote : 
"The wine I hope will prove good; comes in very good time, there 
being none good in town." In another letter he wrote for " the latest, 
best book of the several sorts of cookery, which pray let be of the 
largest character, for the benefit of the maid's reading." A fortnight 



438 The Records of Oxford. 

after his uncle's death he wrote to London : " Be so good as to send me 
a handsome chariot with two sets of harness, with the arms, as enclosed , 
on the same, in the handsomest manner that you shall judge proper, but 
at the same time nothing gaudy." Along with these requests are specific 
instructions for the management of his business, and sharp demands for 
the payment of any debts due to him. One illustration of this charac- 
teristic is all that need be given : 

In 1738-39, about a year after Andrew Faneuil's death, he wrote to one 
of his correspondents, a merchant at Barbadoes : " I have been very sur- 
prised, that, ever since the death of Captain Allen, you have not advised 
me of the sale of a horse belonging to my deceased uncle, left in your 
hands by him, which I am informed you sold for a very good price ; and 
I am now to request the favor you would send me the net proceeds, with 
a fair and just account for the same, in sweetmeats and citron water : 
your compliance with which will stop me from giving some of my friends 
the trouble of calling you to an account there. I shall be glad to know if 
Captain Allen did not leave a silver watch and some fish, belonging to a 
servant of mine, with some person of your island, and with who. I ex- 
pect your speedy answer." This energetic demand for an account of 
sales and a payment of the proceeds produced the desired effect, though 
the West India merchant very naturally complained of the tone of 
Faneuil's letter. A little more than two months afterward the latter 
acknowledged the receipt of the account of sales and a box of sweet- 
meats; and in answer to his correspondent's complaints of the " unhand- 
some style" of the previous letter, he added : " I must own it was not in 
so soft terms as I sometimes make use of; but at that juncture I really 
thought the state of the case required it, not having heard anything to be 
depended upon concerning the horse in dispute, either if he was dead, 
sold, or run away; upon either of which, I presumed the common com- 
plaisance, if not honor, among merchants might have entitled either my 
uncle in his lifetime, or myself after his decease, to some advice at least. 
I had indeed transiently heard here you had kept him, which in some 
measure prest my writing you on that head." Only one other letter need 
be mentioned, as characteristic of a social condition which ceased to have 
a legal existence in Massachusetts one hundred years ago. In a letter 
written in February, 1738-39, now in the Library of the Massachusetts 
Historical Society, and printed in the Proceedings of that Society for 
August, 1864, he directs his correspondent to purchase from the pro- 
ceeds of a sale of fish, "for me, for the use of my house, as likely a 
straight negro lad as possibly you can, about the age of from 12 to 16 
years; and if to be done, one that has had the small-pox, who being 
for my own service, I must request the favor you would let him be one 
of as tractable a disposition as you can find, which I leave to your pru- 



Biographical Sketches. 430 

dent care and management; desiring after you have purchased him, you 
would send him to me by the first good opportunity, recommending him 
to a particular care from the captain." 

Peter Faneuil by the gift of Faneuil Hall to the town identified his 
name with the history of Boston. At the time of its ei'ection there were 
no market-houses in the town. The result was that 367 votes were cast 
in favor of accepting the gift and 3(50 against its acceptance. There 
was much opposition in Boston agaiust the system of market-houses by 
those who preferred the fashion of hawking provisions through the 
streets. 

Faneuil Hall is a permanent memorial of the Huguenots in Boston, 
and, with the exception of a few crumbling grave-stones, it is the only 
visible monument of their residence in Boston. But it is impossible not 
to recognize the services which descendants of these Huguenots, or 
those connected with them by marriage, have rendered to this com- 
munity. 

Faneuil did not live many months after the completion of his hall • 
and it was remarked at the time that the first annual town-meeting held 
within its walls, March 14, 1742-3, was the occasion for the delivery of 
an eulogy on Faneuil by John Lovell, master of the Latin School. A 
tablet at the Faneuil tomb is surmounted by an hour-glass. 

Butler and Davie. 

James Butler, the son of James and Elizabeth (Davie) Butler, of Bos- 
ton, became a resident of Oxford in 1780. Mr. Butler was the perfect 
type of an English country gentleman. His large-hearted hospitality 
was noticeable in his time, inviting all his personal friends, and indeed 
all with whom he was acquainted, to partake of a glass of Maderia wine 
on Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, and his drives about the 
country in a large, square-top chaise, distributing half-crowns for any 
service rendered to him. 

He often called on his friend, Mr. John Bush of Worcester. The old 
Bush house in its day was an elegant mansion on Main street. Mr. 
Butler was not only distinguished for his wit, but for his agreeable 
manners as a gentleman. James Butler was town treasurer in 1786. In 
1794-1796 and 1809 he represented the town in the Legislature. 

James, son of James and Elizabeth (Davie) Butler, married, May 18, 
1763, Mary, daughter of Anthony and Mary Waters Sigourney of 
Boston. 

James Butler, the father of James Butler of Oxford, in the War of 
the Revolution was a Loyalist. It is said he was a favorite among the 
British ofiicers in Boston. Sabine, in his work on American Loyalists, 



440 The Records of Oxford. 

page 189, states: "James Butler, in 1776, embarked at Boston for Hali- 
fax, with the British Army." His son James was urged by him to seek 
a refuge in the British Provinces. "He is said to have been saved from 
such a flight through the influence of his wife, Mary Sigourney, who had 
a great dread of any pioneering analogous to that of her Huguenot 
grandmother in Oxford a century before." 

In 1774, the Port bill destroyed the commerce of Boston. Mr Butler 
was then residing on Prince street; the house was brick, originally of 
two stories, opposite Snow Hill street and near Thatcher, in going east 
from Salem street. He decided to leave Boston, and engaged passage 
for himself and family on board a British vessel, through the captain's 
leniency he took the family on board his ship. Mr. Butler entertained 
the captain with punch from the ancient family punch-bowl. 

They left Boston Sunday evening of August 6, 1774, for the Kennebec 
river. "They arrived at Arrowsic Island on Thursday. This island is 
seven miles below Bath and opposite Phlppsburg and near a rocky and 
bushy blufi" called Squirrel Point." Before leaving Boston their pewter 
plate was buried in the cellar of the house, which they found on their 
return, with their house and furniture, unharmed. All silver plate, rich 
brocade dresses, and articles of linen and wearing apparel were removed 
with them. 

In 1850 the white cottage on Arrowsic Island, near the shore, which 
Mr. Butler and his family had occupied four years, was still to be seen, 
and on an eminence was the mansion of Mr. Butler, his kinsman and 
landlord, who owned the island and had rented them the cottage at a 
yearly rent of £4. 

In 1780 Mr. James Butler purchased a landed estate in Oxford, Massa- 
chusetts, of Silvanus Town, Esq., for £4,500. The estate was situated, 
with its mansion house, opposite the old North common, the south front 
of the house on the old Charlton road. Afterward this road was changed 
to pass on its north side. This same estate had been conveyed by Dun- 
can Campbell, Esq., to Silvanus Town, June 22, 1778. 

Their Children. 

Mary", b. March 4, 1764; d. 1847, in Rutland, Vt. 

James Davie", b. Oct. 5, 1765 ; ra. Rachel Harris ; d. in Rutland, Vt., 1843. 

Anthony-, b. Oct. 8, 1767; m. Jerusha Hill; d. 13 March, 1847. 

Elizabeth", b. Feb. 9, 1771; m. Jeremiah Kingsbury; d. 28 Aug., 1830. 

Hannah% b. Dec. 5, 1771; d. 6 Feb., 1792. 

John', b. July 4, 1773; m. Sarah Fiske; d. 25 Sept., 1824. 

Peter", b. Dec. 16, 1774; m. Mehitable Corbin; d. Dec, 1856. 

Sarah", b. Sept. 29, 1776 ; m. Jeremiah Kingsbury. 



Biographical Sketches. 441 

Celia", b. April 25, 1779 ; m. Archibald Campbell. 

James', d. 20 Dec, 1827, ait. 87. Mary, wife, d. 14 April, 1823, ajt. 81. 

James, the son of James and Mary Sigourney Butler, born in Boston, 
1765, and afterward resided with his parents in Oxford, Mass. In June, 
1787, James Davie Butler visited Rutland, Vermont, accompanied by his 
kinsman. Col. Holman of Sutton, Mass. In August of the same year he 
again visited the place with his father, and decided to make Rutland his 
future home. 

The education of James Butler in his childhood appears to have been 
directed by Master Tileston, at the North Writing School in Boston, and 
subsequently other masters, until he had acquired a superior education 
for his time. He was a merchant in the town for fifty years until his 
death, June 3, 1842. He had been a member of the State Council. He 
represented Rutland in the Vermont Legislature for several years. 

He married Mrs. Rachel Harris Maynard, the mother of two daughters, 
Laura and Eliza, whom he educated with great care, placing them 
at the celebrated boarding-school of Misses Beach and Saunders, at 
Dorchester, Mass. Both of these young ladies died in early youth. 
His own daughter, Mary Sigourney, was placed with Madame Emma 
Willard, of Troy, N. Y., in 1823-4. She received instruction in music, 
dancing, French and drawing, and became a most accomplished young 
lady of her time. She was married to Horace Greene, M. D., of Rutland^ 
and afterward of New York. His son, James Davie Butler, received a 
university education and also studied in Germany some months at the 
universities of Jena, Halle and Berlin, and finished his education by 
extensive travels.* 

Anthony Sigourney Butler, the second son of James Butler, born in 
Boston, resided in Rutland, Vermont, subsequently Pittsford, Vermont. 
In 1817 he left Vermont and secured a large lauded estate in Oxford, 
Butler County, Ohio. He married Jerusha Hill; children— Mary, Han- 
nah and James. 

Captain John Butler was the third son of James and Mary Sigourney 
Butler, born in Boston, July, 1773, married Sarah, daughter of Dr. 
Daniel Fiske of Oxford. He died September 25, 1824, in Oxford; chil- 
dren— Celia, Susan, Mary. John Butler resided in Rutland, Vermont, 
subsequently in Spencer, Massachusetts. (See Army Records.) 

Peter Butler, youngest son of James and Mary Sigourney Butler, was 



*Among the interesting descriptions of Prof. Butler's travels are "Naples and 
its Neighborhood," "Visits to Pompeii," "The Architecture of St. Peter's," 
"The Ceremonies of Holy Week," "Provincial German Life," "Alpine Wan- 
derings," "European Peculiarities," with "Visits to English and French Pro- 
vincial Towns." 



442 The Records of Oxford. 

a merchant and resided on a landed estate near the North common in 
Oxford. He was courteous and of kindly manners, and was extensively 
known for his hospitality and as a gentleman of Christian principle and 
of superior mental endowments. Among the reminiscences of the past 
he is named as the gentleman before whose residence there were so 
many visitors in tine equipages waiting at the ancient gateway of his 
mansion house. He married Mehitable Corbin, the step-daughter of 
Captain Allen Hancock. 

Rejiiniscences of James Butler of Oxford, Born in Boston, 1739, 
WHO Married Mary, Daughter of Anthony Sigourney op 
Boston. 

"Stephen Butler of Boston, my ancestor, was born, 1620, in Kilkenny, 
Kilkenny County, Ireland; a younger branch of the Butlers of Ormond. 
The county of Kilkenny became possessed mostly of this family. The 
father of Stephen was killed in battle in Ireland. Stephen Butler died 
in Boston, 1695. 

"The word Ormond is said to mean in Irish, East Munster. The 
Ormond family, through the Irish chief, Butler, is traceable to a Walter, 
who came to England with the Conqueror, and in 1086 was owner of 
estates in Lailand, Lancashire. This "Walter came from Glanville near 
Caen. His arms were a chief indented." 

According to John O'Hart's "Irish Pedigrees," the ancestors of the 
Butlers, came from Normandy to England with William the Conqueror; 
their original name was Fitz- Walter, from Walter, one of their ances- 
tors, who came to Ireland with Henry II., 1172. The office of chief 
butler was conferred on him, as his duty was to attend the coronation 
of the kings of England, and present them with the first cup of wine. 
From the office of butlership of Ireland, the name of Fitz-Walter was 
relinquished for that of Butler. 

John Butler, captain in the 65th Bengal Regiment, who in 1845 pub- 
lished in Sibsagor, Assam, "Memoranda" on his Butler Ancestry. 

Walter, a young Ormond, left Kilkenny and arrived before 1628 in 
Hampshire, some fifty miles from London, and became a landholder, 
and his estate was transmitted down, generation after generation, whose 
line is traced by Captain Butler into the present century. 

Mrs. Mary Butler, the mother of Stephen, had married in England 
Benjamin Ward ; by this second marriage she had one child, a daughter 
Mary, who in the year 1652 was married to William Halloway, who was 
from Taunton or Marshfield, Mass., 1650. Mrs. Mary Butler Ward was 
a resident of Boston in 1635; she died July, 1667. 

Mrs. Mary Butler Ward in her "Will" made a bequest to Rev. John 



Biographical Sketches. aa-j 

Wilson; he was the minister of the first church in Boston, which was 
on State street on the site of Brazer's Building, also for the poor of the 
church of Boston, four pounds. 

"Unto my much honored friends. Major Generall John Leverett and 
JVIr. Peter OUiver, my Ancient and neere neighbors always helpfull to 
me [Three] pounds a peece to buy them a ring." 

"I bequeeth all the rest of my Estate both reall and personall in 
Houses, landes, wharfes, goods and Household stufl^e to my son Steplien 
and his heirs and the children of my daughter Mary Halloway and their 
heirs." 

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ward of Boston, in the year 1637-8 were the 
proprietors of twelve acres of land northwest of Muddy River. In a 
list of flfty-two persons to whom "great allotments" were assigned So 
in the Book of Possessions, 1645, which is made up of the original en- 
tries of the recorded divisions of land, is found the name: "B. Ward 
one house and about one acre on the north side of Fort Hill, and south 
of the marsh." 

Stephen Butler was a soldier in King Philip's War, in 1675 August 
12, as a soldier in Captain Lathrop's company. He was charged at 
Hatfield Is 9d for a pouch and belt, being one of 13 members of the 
same company who were furnished with supplies at the same time On 
the eighteenth of the next month 71 persons of that company were 
killed by Indians at Muddy Brook. On Dec. 10 of the same year his 
name appears among the troops under Maj. Appleton, and he was cred- 
ited as having £3 18s, then his due. About a week afterward, Dec 19 
this force stormed the strongest fort of the Narragansetts. 

James, the son of Stephen and Jane Butler, born August, 1665, mar- 
ried Grace, the daughter of Andrew Newcombe of Boston. James 
Butler died 1689, aged 24 years. Among the items of his estate were 
the following: Plate and coin; negro boy and girl; house and land in 
Boston ; house, barn and land in Worcester; musket and arms. Previ- 
ous to 1682, forty acres of land had been allotted him in Worcester. 

James, the son of James and Grace Newcombe Butler, born August 
1688, married, 1710, Abigail, daughter of John and Elizabeth Eurtiss! 
James Butler died 1715, aged 27 years. The house and land of James 
Butler adjoined those of Thomas Jackson, a distiller, who had married 
Grace, the sister of Mr. Butler. 

Extracts from the James Butlek Inventory, 1715. 

House lot £100, Negro woman Dinah £39, silverware £26 I8s 2d, one- 
sixth of sloop Mary £16, 1 bay mare, 1 red cow, 1 heifer and calf £17, 
pewter and brass ware £16 6s, table-linen £13 7s, 4 suits clothes and 



444 The Records of Oxford. 

riding coat £17 4s, sheet and pillow biers £28, clock and two tables £12 
16s, chairs, lookiug-glass and tables £13 18s, curtains, bedstead, quilt 
and blankets £17, green curtains, bed bolster and pillows £26, other 
items amount in all to £510 10s. lOd. About two years afterward the 
administrators returned an additional amount of moneys, viz. : £777 4s 
6d. The estate ever remained unsettled. 

Among the charges made by the administrators of moneys paid out by 
them were the following : — 

Funeral charges £12 14s, widow's mourning £5 3s lOd, nursing the 
widow £1 5s, calash hire and expenses of carrying the widow to Salem 
£1 6s 6d, waaes of Hannah Simpson for keeping house £18 19s.* 

James, the son of James and Abigail (Eustiss) Butler, born in 1713, 
Dec. 4; his mother died Dec. 16, eleven days after the birth of her sou 
James. He was educated by his uncle, Thomas Jackson, who was his 
guardian. James Butler married in 1739, May 17, Elizabeth, daughter 
of Humphrey and Hannah (Geduey) Davie. She died in February, 1740, 
at the birth of James, her only child, James Butler of Boston, afterward 
of Oxford, Mass. 

Boston, 10 FeVy, 1795. 

This may certify that James Butler was baptized on the 17th day of 
Feb'y 1740, by the Rev'd Mr. Gray, one of the Pastors of the New Brick 
Church. 

Attest. John Lathrop, 

Pastor. 

Mr. Butler was placed during his infancy with his aunt Tileston, Ave 
miles out of town (Dorchester). Afterward he was placed under the 
care of his uncle Jackson in Boston. 

Bartholomew Gedney of Boston was appointed guardian of Elizabeth 
Davie when she was fourteen years of age. 

The Edmund Quincy house is one of the most ancient mansions in 
New England. The antique parlor has on the walls the quaint French 
hangings, which tradition says were hung there in 1775, in honor of 
Dorothy Quincy's approaching marriage to Governor Hancock. 

The Edmund Quincyt house at Quincy has for many years been the 
home of Peter Butler, Jr., Esq., who sustains the hospitalities of its 
former occupants, and also of his ancestor. Sir John Davie. 



*Jamcs Butler's second wife was Mary, daughter of William and Mary (Gard- 
ner) Bowditch of Salem. 

tJudge Sewall in the description of a journey made by him in March, 1712, 
from Plymouth, where he had been holdina; court, to Boston, notes the fact 
"that owing to the very hard rain storm which prevailed when he reached 
'Braintry,' the day and I were in a manner spent, and I turned into cousin 



BiograpJiical Sketches. 445 

This notable brook reflects the ancient mansion, with its shrubbery 
and forest trees, forming one landscape picture of grent beauty. 

"Socially, Mr. Butler was one of the most delightful men we have 
ever had among us, and especially as a host in his own home. The 
unique house at Quincy which he occupied as a residence for so many 
years was one of the most interesting in this country. It was about 
250 years old and was kept in perfect condition. It was furnished in 
sympathy with its architecture and its history. Mr. Butler's numberless 
mementos of Mr. Webster, whose intimate friend he was for many 
years, his large collection of rare books and innumerable souvenirs from 
friends made it one of the most entertainlug places of historical interest 
that the country has possessed." 

The family of Davie is of remote antiquity in the county of Devon, 
being established there since the Conquest. It is of Norman descent, 
but from the residence of its ancestor at an old mansion formerly known 
by the name of Wey, the tirst sirname adopted in England was " de la 
Wey," and the first of the de la Weys mentioned in the family pedigree 
had coat armor which has ever since continued without variation to be 
borne by his descendants, although their sirnaraes have been at difierent 
times written de la Wey, de Vie, Davie and Dewey. From William de 
la Wey lineally descended John Davie (fourth son of Robert Davie, 
Esq., of Crediton, by the daughter and heir of John Bardolph, Esq., of 
Titchfleld), who had the honor to be three times the mayor of the city 
of Exeter, and was celebrated for his hospitality. 

During the first mayoralty of John Davie, in 1584, Don Antonio, King 
of Portugal, having been driven from his kingdom by Philip, King of 
Spain, landing at Plymouth, thence removing to Exeter, was received 
with his whole suite by the mayor, and sumptuously lodged and enter- 
tained for a considerable time, while he sojourned there at the magis- 
trate's expense and in his own house. 

John Davie, mayor of Exeter, England, married Julian, daughter of 
William Strode, Esq., of Neunham, Kent, and had issue: 

I. John, his successor. II. William, who had a son William who 
succeeded his cousin. III. Humphrey, a merchant of London, married 
and had John, 5th Baronet. 

At the decease of John Davie he was succeeded by his only son, John 
Davie, Esq., of Greedy, created a baronet in 1641. The family seat is 
Greedy Park, Crediton, Devonshire. 



Quincey's, where I had the pleasure to see God, in His Providence, shining 
again upon the persons and atl'airs of the family, after long and distressing sick- 
ness and losses. Lodged in the chamber next the Brooke." 



446 The Records of Oxford. 

Coat of Arms.— At. a cliev. gu. betw. three mullets pierced Sa. Crest 
M paschal or Holy lamb ppr. Motto "Auspice Christo."— Exeter. 

Mary, daughter of John Davie of Exeter, married Humphrey, a Lon- 
don merchant. 

The lineage of Sir John Davie, his heraldic emblazonries and the like, 
may be found in Burke's Peerage of England. 

John Davie, who came to New England, became a resident of Groton, 
Mass., in 1G62. His oldest son, John, graduated at Harvard University 
in 1681, and became a resident of New London, Ct., but was recalled to 
England and became a baronet in 1713. He presented Yale College his 
library on his departure. See New London, Caulkins. 

Humphrey, a second son of John Davie, of Groton, became a resident 
of Dorchester, Mass., and a merchant of Boston. He married Hannah, 
daughter of William and Hannah (Gardner) Gedney of Salem, Mass. 
He died 1718. Elizabeth, daughter of Humphrey and Hannah Davie, 
was married to James Butler Feb. 15, 1739. 

James, the son of James and Elizabeth (Davie) Butler, married Mary, 
daughter of Anthony Sigouruey of Boston.* 

SiGOURNEY AND GkRMAINK. 

" Beverly Farms, Mass., July 7, 1880. 

" My dear Madam : 

" I am much obliged to you for your kind and interesting 
letter. It is only the other day that I was asked for information about 
the Sigourneys by Mr. C. C. Smith, who is to furnish the chapter on the 
'Huguenots in Boston' in the great Memorial History of Boston, soon 
to be published, but I could give him no help and can I fear give you 
but little. 



*John Gedney, born in 1603, admitted to the church in Salem, November, 
1637; died in 1688. John, his sou, lost at sea. William Gedney, his son, born 
in 16G8; married in IGUO Hannah Gardner. Their daughter, Hannah Gedney, 
married Humphrey Davie. 

Humphrey Davie came from London 1C62 and married Mrs. Sarah Gibbons, 
the widow of James Richards of Hartford, Ct., a lady of large estate, as she 
claimed the lands of the " Dutch House of Good Hope," now Hartford, Ct. 
See Ancient Records of Hartford. He left a son Jobn by a former marriage 
who married Elizabeth, daughter of James Richards of Hartford, Ct., aud 
resided in New London, Ct. 

Gov. Gardner Saltonstall of Connecticut (his brother-in-law having married 
Jerusha, a daugliter of James Richards) describes him being attorney to Sir 
John Davie of Creedy Co., Devon. 

Humphrey who was brother of the barouet was born 1073 iu Hartford, Ct. 



Biographical Sketches. 447 

" The only one of my family wlio could recollect my great-grandmotlier, 
Mrs. Susannah Sigourney Brimmer, was my aunt, Miss Eliza Brimmer, 
and she only slightly. She remembered as a child that a Frenchwoman 
used to come to see the old lady, and that they talked French together. 
As Mrs. S. S. B. was boru some years after the Sigourneys came over 
this shows that they must have held to the use of their own language 
among themselves, and the Huguenots doubtless did for many years 
hold very closely together. After 1720 many, perhaps all of them, 
applied to the provincial legislature for an act of naturalization and 
obtained it ; but the act was disallowed by the King in Council as an 
infringement of his prerogative. My great-grandfather, Martin Brim- 
mer, who had come out from Germany in 1720, and found none of his 
own countrymen here, joined the Huguenot colony and afterwards mar- 
ried into it. He applied to be naturalized in a postscript to their 
petition. 

" I have not much of value in the way of family portraits on that side 
— of my grandfather Martin only a black silhouette ; of his brother 
Herman there is a poor portrait; of my father two unsatisfactory 
portraits and a good bust. The latter has been photographed and I will 
send you a copy if you would like it. I have no recent likeness of my- 
self and am moreover not distinguished enough for such good company. 
The best portrait I know of any descendant of Andrew Sigourney is 
that of Samuel Dexter by Stuart. I have a copy of it, said by his sou 
to be a better likeness than the original, which has been copied for the 
War Dept'nt at Washington, and which you have seen engraved on the 
50-cent pieces, fractional currency. Perhaps it could be photographed 
to advantage. 

"If you have any information bearing especially on the Colony in 
Boston, such as lists of names of families composing it, &c., I am sure 
Mr. C C. Smith (24 West St., Boston,) would be glad to have it, and to 
reciprocate with anything within his reach. 

" I am much obliged for your kind invitation, and if I have the oppor- 
tunity, should be glad to see Oxford and the memorials of the Sigourneys 
which you mention. 

"Very truly and resp'ly yours, 

"Martin Brimmer." 
"Mrs. M. DeW. Freeland." 

Children of Andrew Sigourney, 2nd. 

Andrew, born in France, 1673, married Mary Germain, also born in 
France, 1680. He was a distiller in Boston ; was one of the proprietors 



448 The Records of Oxford. 

of the French Church in South Latin School Street, being one, with 
others, who executed a deed, conveying the same to another 

society. Died in 1748. Mary, his wife, died March 20, 1763-4. 

Children of Andrew- and Mary (Germaine) Sigourney. 

Andrew,^ b. in Boston, Jan. 30, 1702. Married by Rev. 'Andrew Le 
Mercier, October 7, 1731, Mary Rouchon (an only daughter of John 
Ronchon, wlio died 1761), died Nov. 4, 1762. Will dated June 13, 
1760. Recorded in Sufiblk, Dec. 10, 1762. Lib. 61, folio 125. Mary 
his wife died 28th Feb., 1772. 

Susannah,^ b. in Boston, Dec. 27, 1704. M. by Rev. Andrew Le Mercier, 
Oct. 24, 1726, Martin Brimraer, who was born 1697, at Osten, 16 Ger- 
man miles from Hamburg, in Germany. Died, Feb. 18, 1793. 

Peter,^ b. in Boston, March 1, 1706. Died, 1738. (Dec. 16, 

1738. Suffolk Probate, lib. 34, folio 93, administration was granted 
to Elizabeth Green, widow, on estate of Peter Sigourney ; but nothing 
beyond appears.) 

Mary,^ b. In Boston, Aug. 1, 1709. M. by Rev. Andrew Le Mercier, 
Feb. 20, 1734, John Baker, who came from Jersey or Guernsey, died 
Sept. 27, 1774. 

Charles,' b. in Boston, April 27, 1711. Died, unmarried, Dec. 8, 1751. 

Anthony,^ b. iu Boston, Aug. 17, 1713. M. by Rev. Andrew Le Mercier, 
April 10, 1740, Mary Waters, of Salem, afterward married widow 
Elizabeth Breed (maiden name, Whittemore). Died, 1761. 

Will dated Aug. 7, 1761. Recorded in Suffolk, Oct. 2, 1761, lib. 59, 
folio 148. Elizabeth, his wife, died at Oxford, May 18, 1804, fe. 88. 

Daniel,^ b. in Boston, Nov. 17, 1715. M. by Rev. John Webb or Peter 
Thatcher, 1735, Mary Varney (daughter of James and Jane 

[Tudor] Varuey, who was born 14 Jan., 1711) ; afterward, about 1745, 
m. Joanna Tileston; afterward, on Feb. 13, 1780, m. Rebecca Tileston, 
sister(?) of Joanna. Died July 7, 1787. Joanna, the second wife, 
died in Boston, Sept. 19, 1770, «. 53. Rebecca, his wife, died in 
Maiden, Jan. 14, 1807, a;. 88. 

Rachel,^ b. March 5, 1717-8. Died Sept. 20, 1719. 

Hannah, =* b. in Boston, Feb. 27, 1719. M. by Rev. Andrew Elliot, D.D., 
June 23, 1748, Hon. Samuel Dexter (son of Rev. Samuel Dexter of 
Dedham), b. 16 March, 1726. Died Nov. 6, 1784. 
Andrew Sigourney (will made 1736, May 20th, proved July 5, 1748. 

Attest A. H. Ward). 

Aged and infirm, I give to Mary, ray beloved wife, one-third part of 

all my personal estate, also one-third part of my real estate during her 

natural life ; to my son Andrew of Boston, mariner, one hundred pounds 

above ray other children. 



Biographical Sketches. 449 

Debts to be deducted out of my estate and my wife's share. Then 
the balance to be divided into seven equal parts, and one of them to be 
given to each of my children and their heirs, viz. : Andrew, Susannah 
Brimmer, Mary Baker, Charles, Anthony, Daniel, Hannah Sigourney. 

That part of my real estate that I have given to my wife for life, I 
give, after her decease, to my said children in seven equal parts. As 
to the one-third part of the personal estate which I gave my wife, I 
would have her dispose of it as she pleaseth. 

My wife, my son Andrew and my brother Daniel Johonuot are to be 
my executors. 

Andrew Sigourney. [skal.] 
Witnesses : 

Thomas Baker. 

Robert Breck. 

Owen Harris. 

In [1822] Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sigourney of Hartford, Ct., visited 
Oxford, Mass., and were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. James Butler, and 
of Mrs. Butler's brother, the late Captain Andrew Sigourney. 

Mrs. L. H. Sigourney writes : "A visit to this fair scenery many years 
since was rendered doubly interesting by the conversation of an ancient 
lady of Huguenot extraction, though she had numbered more than four 
score winters her memory was perfectly retentive, while her clear black 
eye, dark complexion and extremely expressive countenance, displayed 
some of the striking characteristics of her ancestral clime, mingled with 
that beauty of the soul which is confined to no nation, and which age 
cannot destroy. 

"Mrs. Butler had derived many legends which she had treasured with 
fidelity and related with simple eloquence. Truly, the voice of buried 
ages spoke through her venerated lips. 

"This was the same Mrs. Butler, formerly Mary Sigourney, whose 
reminiscences the late Rev. Dr. Holmes, the learned and persevering 
annalist, has quoted in his 'Memoirs of the French Protestants.' 

"L. H. Sigourney." 

Mary Sigourney was educated with her cousin, Elizabeth Brimmer, 
who afterward was married to Henderson Inches, Esq., by their grand- 
mother, Mrs. Mary Germain Sigourney, both of her granddaughters re- 
siding with her, the mother of Mrs. Butler dying when she was two 
years of age. 

Mrs. Butler may be pictured as she was long remembered, as residing 
in a rich, old-fashioned mansion house, with its wide, heavy gable, 
fronting an ancient common, on which was a rustic church, which being 
shaded partly with elms, added to its quaint beauty. The parlor was 



450 The Records of Oxford. 

richly wainscoted, with its long, narrow windows of extremely diminu- 
tive panes of glass, giving a southern landscape view with a cheerful 
sunlight to give lovely, sunny rooms, and its curious buffet garnished 
with old china and silver. 

There were rich, leather bottomed antique chairs of various patterns, 
including a huge easy chair, once the favorite of Mary Germain Sigour- 
ney, and where for many years she reclined as an invalid.* There was 
a tall, narrow mirror without sconces, the bridal gift of her cousin, Mrs. 
Inches, and lovely pictures adorned the walls, and in the summer the par- 
terre of flowers on which the parlor opened added to its attractions, for 
the windows were curtained with tall spikes of hollyhocks, one of the 
rich border flowers. 

On a winter's day Mrs. Butler would be seen in her easy chair by a 
bright, cheerful wood fire, knitting with a book before her. Her insep- 
arable companion was a delicate little girlf with fair complexion and 
bright flaxen hair, ensconsced in her tiny easy chair at her side, either 
engaged in reading or in embroidery, while listening to her grandmother's 
tales of the sufl'eriugs of her ancestors in leaving their pleasant home in 
France, or some other historic lore. Thus the little orphan lived under 
the sweet influence of her grandmother, and so bright were the days of 
her childhood that its brightness remained in her memory through her 
life. "The rich beneflts derived from friendship between infant inex- 
perience and saintly wisdom, are incalculable." 

"L. H. SiGOURNEY." 

Children of Anthony and Mary (Waters) Sigourney. 

Mary, b. March 23, 1741-2; m. May 18, 1763, James Butler of Boston. 
She died April U, 1823, in Oxford. 

Susannah, died young. 

Peter, b. Dec. 8, 1745; m. by Rev. John Lathrop, May 30, 1767, Celia 
Loring. He died June, 1823, in Boston. 

In a second marriage, with Elizabeth Breed, Andrew and Anthony. 

Andrew, son of Anthony and Elizabeth Breed Sigourney, was born in 
Boston Nov. 30, 1752; married July 26, 1787, Elizabeth, daughter of 
Josiah Wolcott, Esq., of Oxford. Andrew Sigourney died at Oxford. 
Mass., April 16, 1838, aged 89 years. Mrs. Elizabeth Sigourney died at 
Oxford, March 20, 1829, aged 67 years. 

Andrew Sigourney and his brother Anthony were nearly taken prison- 
ers at the retreat from New York in 1776. They were in the battle at 



♦The ancient chair is now in the possession of Peter Butler, Esq., Quiucy, 
Mass. 
fLate Mrs. Sterues De Witt of Oxford. 



Biographical Sketches. 451 

White Plains and other engagements. Andrew obtained a commission 
as Commissary, with rank of Captain. In 1784 he was a resident of 
Oxford, Mass., and became wealthy in commerce. 

Anthony, a son of Anthony and Elizabeth Breed Sigourney, born May 
12, 1751 ; married by Rev. Ebenezer Chaplin of Sutton, June 23, 1774, to 
Ruth, daughter of Abel Chase of Sutton, Mass.; in a second marriage, 
to a lady by the name of Phillips. Anthuuy Sigourney of Oxford re- 
moved in 1797 to Stratton, Vt., where Mrs. Ruth Chase Sigourney died 
Jan. 17, 1802. 

A reminiscence of Mrs. Mary (Gcrmaine) Sigourney. 

Capt. Gerraon [Gerraaine] when he left his mansion house in La Ro- 
chelle, locked the door, taking the key with him as a memento of his 
home— hastening with his family on board a vessel for England. 

The Germaine family were from La Rochelle, France. Captain Ger- 
maine (sometimes written Gerraon or Jerraon) was of a Roman Catholic 
family of high position, being a younger brother of Count Germaine. 
He left France at the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and arrived in 
Boston during the summer of 1686. 

Captain Germaine and his two daughters. Marguerite and Mary, with 
his three sons, Charles, Ober and Peter, left Boston, and were included 
in the French settlement in Oxford in 1687. His son, Charles Germaine, 
of Oxford, became a resident of New Rochelle, N. Y. 

The Sigourney family were in the first French settlement of Oxford, 
but were not included in the resettlement of the French in Oxford. Mrs. 
Mary (Sigourney) Butler and her brothers, Capt. Andrew and Anthony 
Sigourney, became residents of Oxford at the close of the Revolutionary 
War. 

1681, the British envoy residing in Paris, had kept his government 
informed of the proceedings of Louis XIV. against his reformed subjects. 

The "terrible edict" of June, 1681, at length decided Charles II. to 
issue a royal proclamation July 28, 1681, promising letters of denization 
under the great seal of England to all "distressed Protestants" " who 
by reason of the rigors and severities which are used towards them 
upon the account of their religion, shall be forced to quit their native 
country, and shall desire to shelter themselves under his Majesty's royal 
protection, for the preservation and free exercise of their religion." 

There has been as yet no authenticated record found of the time when 
Andrew Sigourney and his family, accompanied by his nephew, Daniel 
Johonnot, of seventeen years of age, left France and arrived in Eng- 
land, and no record of the marriage of Andrew Sigourney, Sr., only 
records of three children with certainty, viz. : Andrew, Susauno and 
Mary. 



4^2 TJic Records of Oxford. 

Tradition states the name of Mrs. Sigourney to have been Charlotte 
Pairan. 

The late Capt. Andrew Sigourney of Oxford, born in Boston, stated 
that Mrs. Sigourney, Sr., who came from France, died in Oxford, and 
was Iniried in the French burying-ground of that place. 

The family of Sigourney is found registered with the families of 
Poitou, 1681. "The Sigourney family bore the name of a locality in 
the province of Poitou." 

" ' Sigouruais,' now a hamlet of some eight hundred inhabitants, in 
the department of La Vendee, four miles from Chatonnay. Near by is 
the chateau de Sigournais."* 

Tlie grave-stone of Andrew Sigourney* stands in the "Granary" 
burial-yard, and bears the following epitaph : — 
ANDREW SIGOURNEY, 
Died, Apkil 16th, 1727. 
Aged 89. 

Andrew,'^ the son, born in France, married Mary Germaine. 

Susanne, born in France, married Jean Jansen, who was massacred, 
with his three children, by Indians at Oxford, Massachusetts, August 
25, 1696. 

She was afterward married, April 18, 1700, to her cousin, Daniel 
Johounot of Boston, by Rev. Samuel Willard of the Old South Church. 
Dauiel Johonnot died in Boston, 1748, aged eighty years. 

Mary, a daughter of Andrew Sigourney, was married to Antoine 
Olivier in Boston previously to the year 1712. f 

Daniel Johonnot. 
Daniel .Johonnot was born in France in 1668, and arrived in Boston 
via England 1686, and in 1687 accompanied his uncle, Andre Sigournais, 
to the Oxford settlement. In 1696 he became a resident of Boston. 

The Site of the First Residence of Daniel Johonnot. 
A part of the "edifices" now remains standing opposite the site of the 
Green Dragon Tavern. This is said to have been his mansion house. 
The distill house was near the mill-pond. 



♦That Andrew! Sigourney, the ancestor, may have had other children with 
him besides the above Andrew^ and Susan2 is very probable. There are 
records extant of a Samuel Sigourney as having married Mary Dunbar, Dec. 
1, 1723 ; also of a SharJotte Segaruec:', as married to Peter Holman (or Holton), 
May 2G, 1719, both by Andrew Le Mercier, the pastor of the French Church, 
but nothing after the marriage records has been discovered or is linown. 

tSee records of the Olivier family Bible in the Historical Society, Boston, 
presented by Elisha Sigourney, Esq., Boston. 



Biographical Sketches. 453 

The last purchase of real estate made by Daniel Johonnot, was of 
Thomas Wade, guardian of Wra. Ballantine, minor, a bricli house 
now in possession of widow Bouyer (his daughter), bounded north- 
erly on Marlborough street and upon Thomas Flagg and Robert 
Pettishall. 

Consideration, £12,000, old tenor. This estate is now 156 Washington 
street, directly opposite the Proviuce House, and near the Old South 
Church. It is now held by one of the descendants of Mary Anne (Jo- 
honnot) Bouyer. At the time of Mr. Johonnot's death it was occupied 
by his grandson. It must have been his last residence, as in the inven- 
tory it is described as being In possession of Mr. Daniel Bouyer. 

On the west line and rear of this land stood the distillery of Mr. 
Johonnot; on the east. Long lane, now Federal street, were several 
wooden stores and a garden in the rear between the stores and the 
distill house ; on the south-west corner where tlie Catholic church now 
stands were the store-houses, well-room, etc., which he occupied until 
his death. The business was then continued by his son Andrew, and 
subsequently by his grandson of the same name. 

Daniel Johonnot was engaged in mercantile affairs as is seen in a few 
of his advertisements in the Boston Neios-Letter of that day : 

"A convenient Dwelling house in Pond Street, next door to the French 
Doctors, to be let. Inquire of Daniel Johonnot, Distiller, near the Star 
Tavern, June 11, 1724." 

"Lately brought in very good Yorlv Flour, also six great guns and 
four large Anchors. To be sold by Daniel Johonnot at his house, near 
the sign of the Buck in Marlborough street. June 26, 1726." 

Children : Zacharie, b. January, 1701 ; Susanne, b. April, 1702; Daniel, 
b. March, 1704, d. 1721; Andrfi, b. June, 1705; Marie Anne, b. August, 
1706; Francois, b. November, 1709. 

Daniel Johonnot died in 1748 ; his wife Susanne was living till after 
1731, as her name appears on a date at that time. 

The above record of the births of the children of Daniel and Susanne 
Sigourney (Jausen) Johonnot, is taken from a French Bil)le, Amsterdam 
edition of 1700, now in the possession of one of tlieir descendants. 

"He bequeathed to Rev. Andrew Le Mercier £50 old tenor and the sum 
of £50 old tenor to the poor to be distributed among them as my execu- 
tors shall think proper. Residue of his estate to his three sons, Zachery , 
Andrew, Francis, and the children of Mary Anne Bouyer. My further 
will is that my Distill House, with copper pumps, still, and all other 
utensils and appurtenances thereof, the garden adjoining thereto, to- 
gether with the way leading to the street (Long lane) shall go to my son 
Andrew, and be reconed to him as a part of his quarter." 



454 The Records of Oxford. 

Will dated May 29, 1748. Approved July 1, 1748.* 

Zachariah Johounot, the eldest son of Daniel Johonnot, was first 
married to Elizabeth Quincy, who died during the War of the Revolu- 
tion, 1777; and in a second marriage to Margaret, daughter of Rev. 
Andrew Le Mercier, minister of the French Protestant church in Boston. 

He was a merchant; his residence and store were in Orange street at 
the south part of the town. His distillery on Harvard street, directly 
opposite to his dwelling. At the bottom of the same street was his 
wharf, a wooden distillery house and storehouses. Mr. Johonnot died 
in 1784, aged 84 years. 

His will, dated March 1, 1784 : 

To his son Peter (^then in England) he bequeathed his mansion house, 
store adjoining, yard and garden "as the same is now fenced in," his 
large silver salver, two pair of silver candle-sticks, silver snuffers, snuff 
dish, etc. 

"And to Cesar, formerly my negro servant, now a freeman, I bequeath 
£50 lawful money, to be paid to him by my executors within twelve 
months after my death." 

There is much of interest in regard to the family of Johonnot in the 
records of the Hollis street church, Boston, Mass. "Dec. 20, 1761, 
Zachariah Johounot, Esq., presented to the Hollis Street church, a large 
silver basin for Baptisms." And on March 29, 1773, he presented a large 
and costly silver flagon for the Communion Table (to the same church). 

Will of Zachariah Johonnot, proved April 20, 1784. Inventory, May 
18, 1784, Suffolk Records, lib. 83, Peter Bouyer, one of the executors. 

Peter, son of Zachariah Johounot, married Katherine, daughter of 
Hon. William Dudley, son of Governor Joseph Dudley. He was mar- 
ried by the Rev. Matthew Byles. 

Charlotte, a daughter of Zachariah Johonnot, was married to her first 
cousin, Peter Boyer. 

The mansion house and store and beautiful gardens of Zachariah 
Johounot were burned in the great fire, April 20, 1787. The house was 
unoccupied. 

The estate was subsequently sold to Dr. Elijah Dix; he erected an 
elegant brick mansion on the site. 

Peter was a loyalist, an addressee of Gov. Gage in 1775, and one of 
the committee with Thomas and Jonathan Amory, March 8, 1776, to 
communicate, etc., etc. 



*A11 of the Johonnot family arc buried near the Franklin Monument in the 
Granary church-yard on Tremout street, near the graves of their ministers, 
Daile and Le Mercier, and also near to Sigourney, Bouyer and others; their 
antique gravestones now stand erect, and mark their resting-place. 



Biographical Sketches. 455 

Peter Johonnot, the loyalist, was chosen by the citizens of Boston to 
communicate with Gen. Howe to take measures to avert the impending 
destruction threatened by him in case his array should be molested 
while evacuating the town. 

Mr. Johonnot died in Loudon, August 8, 1809, at the advanced age of 
80 years. Mrs. Johonnot died in Boston, June 28, 1769. No issue. 

Andrew, son of Daniel and Susanne Johonnot, was born in Boston, 
1705; he married Susanne, daughter of Antoine and Mary (Sigouruey) 
Olivier. 

He was a distiller and succeeded his father in business on Long Lane, 
1748, and he himself was subsequently succeeded by his son Andrew. 
His residence was on Pond Street, now Bedford Street. A part of his 
building is standing on corner of Washington Street. He bequeathed 
to his wife Susannah one-third part real estate during her life, all his 
plate, jewelry and household furniture forever, and the use and improve- 
ment of all the rest of his estate, real and personal, until his children 
all reached 21 years of age. 

The descendants of Andrew, the son of Daniel Johonnot, are not only 
descended from Susanne, the daughter of Andrew Sigourney, Sr., who 
came from France, but from his daughter Mary, who was married 
to Antoine Olivier, whose daughter Susanne became Mrs. Andrew 
Johonnot.* 

Children of Andrew and Susanne Johonnot : 

Mary, born in 1730; Daniel, about 1732; Andrew, 1735, died without 
issue; Francis, died single; Susannah, born 1738; Margaret, 1740; 
Martha, 1760, died in 1774, single; William, born 1752; Elizabeth in 
1764; Olivier, 1765, and the other children died in infancy. 

Margaret was married by Rev. Henry Caner, of the King's Chapel, to 
Dimond Morton, July 3, 1767, he died about 1790. Susanne (Olivier) 
Johonnot, daughter of Antoine and Mary (Sigourney) Olivier of Boston, 
was born July 12, 1713, died in Boston, Jan. 23, 1774, aged 61 years. f 



* There is an ancient jewelled ring of Mrs. Andrew Johonnot, being marked 
with her name, which she retained until her death. From the style of the ring 
and its size it would indicate that it once belonged to a gentleman. In the will 
of Andrew Johonnot he bequeaths his jewelry to Mrs. Johonnot. Mr. 
Johonnot died June 1, 1760, aged 55 years. The ring is now in the possession 
of a lineal descendant of Andrew Johonnot. 

t There is a French Bible, including a prayer-book, in the Sigourney family, 
said by the late Charles Sigourney, Esq., of Hartford, Conn., to have belonged 
to Susanne (Sigourney) Johonnot. 

On a blank leaf is the following writing : 

•'Botof Wm. H.Sumner with pew No. 137, Brattle Street Church, April, 
1830. A. Johonnot. 



45^ The Records of Oxford. 

Lazarus Le Baron, a native of Barbadoes, became a resident of Boston ; 
he was married to Susanna, the daughter of Andrew and Susanne 
(Olivier) Johonnot, Boston, by the Rev. Dr. Caner of King's Chapel, 
March 3, 1767. Mrs. Johonnot was born in 1738; died August 10, 1774, 
aged 36 years, leaving Susanne, an only child of seven years of age in 
1774-1775. 

Soon after the decease of Mrs. Le Baron, Mr. Le Baron removed with 
his daugliter Susanne, born Dec. 1, 1767, to Sutton, Mass., where he 
purchased a landed estate. 

Susanne was married to Dr. Stephen Monroe of Sutton, Sept. G, 
1790. Dr. and Mrs. Monroe both died in Sutton. 

Their children were : Margaret Neuson, who was married to Jonas L. 
Sibley, Esq., of Sutton, a gentleman distinguished in his time, educated 
at Brown University, and became a U. S. Marshal; Mary married 

Jacob March, a physician; a third daughter was married to March, 

a merchant; and a daughter who married Charles White, and in a second 
marriage Edward Clarke. 

Mr. Le Baron was a gentleman of wealth and high position in society, 
extremely aristocratic in the opinion of the public, but at the same time 
was possessed of a very affable manner and could adapt himself to all 
classes of persons. He did not, with the time, change the fashion of his 
dress, but retained his small-clothes of fine cloth in the English court 
style, with long hose and silver knee and shoe buckles. He also wore a 
three-cornered hat, assuming the appearance of a gentleman of the 
preceding century. 

In late years of his life, Mr. Le Baron would refer to the parting 
scene with his mother — the vessel in the harbor waiting to sail — and all 
made ready for his departure, his mother, in the place of his attendant, 
dressed his hair in heavy curls falling on his shoulders — as was then the 
fashion for boys of his age — her tears falling at the time attracted his 
attention and sympathy, as the mother feared it was the final parting 
with her son.* 



"By which last presented to Charles Sigourney, Hartford, in Boston, July 
11, 1849." 

On one of the margins of the book is found the name of And^ Johonnot. 

The volume is now in the possession of Charles Sigourney Burnhara of New 
York, a grandson of the late Charles Sigourney of Hartford. 

* Children in those days, when in full dress, wore tunics, as styled, of rich 
brocaded silk in plain colors made with plaits to fit the person frpm the throaty 
in form of a yoke, and left flowing in front, with full ruflles falling from neck 
and hands, and with a small three-cornered hat made the costume. 

In the Sigourney family there are dresses of this description still retained as 
relics. 



Biografhical Sketches. 457 

During I^no William's War on Board a French Privateer. 

Dr. Francis Le Baron from Bordeaux, France, a surgeon in the French 
navy, arrived in Plymouth about the year 1694. He is named in the 
Plymouth Records. He died August 8, 1704, aged thirty-sis years. His 
gravestone in Plymouth on the " Ancient Hill," is still in good preserva- 
tion. From a copy of his will and inventory of his estate, it appears he 
was a gentleman possessed of wealth in those times. 

He was married to Mary Wilder of Hingham, September 6, 1695. 

He left three sons, James, Lazarus and Francis. 

Lazarus, son of Dr. Le Baron, after finishing his university educa- 
tion, studied medicine In New York, and resided in Plymouth ; his 
family included nine sons and five daughters. 

His eldest son, Lazarus, after finishing his course of education, chose 
medicine as his profession; he became a resident of Barbadoes, West 
Indies, where he married Margaret Neusome. 

May 11, 1775, Mr. Le Baron was, in a second marriage, united to Plan- 
nah Chase. June 3, 1783, he was married to Mary Chase, and in 1802, 
he was married to Mary Woodbury. She died August 28, 1837, aged 
seventy-two years. He died November 30, 1827, aged eighty-three years. 

Hannah, daughter of Lazarus and Hannah (Chase) Le Baron, was 
born in Sutton, January 22, 1776. She was married to Captain Israel 
Putnam, April 24, 1796. Captain Putnam was a gentleman of high po- 
sition, and was said to have lived in advance of other country gentlemen 
of his time. 

Children of Mary Anne Johonnot, who married James Bouyer : Daniel, 
Peter, Susanne, James and Peter. 

Susanne was married to Andre Olivier, born Sept. 20, 1724. 

Daniel had two daughters, Elizabeth and Katharine ; they both were 
married to Joseph Cooledge of Boston, who was a merchant of great 
wealth. 

The mother of Mr. Cooledge was Marguerite, daughter of Antoine 
and Mary (Slgourney) Olivier, born in Nova Scotia, Nov. 8, 1726. In a 
second marriage to Mr. Jennison of Worcester, and in a third marriage 
to Joseph Wheeler of Worcester. Marguerite Olivier was educated by 
Andrew Sigourney, 2nd, and resided in his family. 

Children of Antoine and Mary Sigourney Olivier. 

1712, Sept. 3, Jean is born, presented for baptism by his father and 
his aunt Susanne Johonnot. 

1713, July 12, Seuzeon (Susanne) is born, presented ))y the same; was 
married to Andrew Johonnot. 

1715, Feb. 15, Antho is born, presented by his uncle Daniel Johonnot, 
and his aunt Mary Sigourney. 



458 The Records of Oxford. 

1716, Antho dies. 

1716, Feb. IG, Marie born, presented by her father and mother. 

1717, April 16, Jeanne (Jane) born, presented by her uncle and aunt 
Sigourney. 

1717, Jean dies. 

1719, March 20, Daniel is born. 

1720, August 20, Jeanne born. 

1721, Sept. 14, Anne born. 

1721, Sept. 21, Anne dies. 

1722, August 29, Jeanne born. 

1723, Dec. 13, Marianne born. 

1724, Sept. 20, Andrfi born. 

1725, Sept. 18, Gillaoume (Guillaurae, William) is born. 

1726, Nov. 8, Marguerite born. 

1727, Dec. 31, Anne born. 

1731, June 15, Elizeabet (Elizabeth) is born. 

Eight of these children were born in Boston, the remaining seven in 
Nova Scotia. 

From the names of these children presented in baptism, and their 
relatives, it is evident that Susanne Johounot w.as the aunt of Olivier's 
children and that Daniel Johounot was their uncle, and also that Andr6 
Sigourney and Mary his wife were uncle and aunt. 

The wife of Antoine Olivier was Mary, a sister of Susanne Sigourney 
Johounot and Andre Sigourney, 2nd. Mrs. Mary (Sigourney) Olivier 
was a daughter of Andre Sigournais, Sr. 

Antoine Olivier left Boston in 1721, and became a resident of Annapo- 
lis, Nova Scotia; the family or a part of the same returned to Boston.* 

BOWDOIN. 

In a petition of Pierre Baudouin to Governor Andros for one hundred 
acres of land in Casco Bay, now Portland, — "A son Excellance, Mon- 
sieur le gouverneur en chef de la nouvelleEngleterre" — Pierre Baudouin 
represents in his flight from the kingdom of France, he had lost almost 
the entire estate which he possessed. He prays therefore to be ex- 
empted for a few years from taxation, having been obliged to sell some 
of his efiects at a sacrifice in order to pay for the survey of land. 

*An ancient "French Bible," once belonging to Antoine Olivier (Anthony 
Oliver), was presented by Elisha Sigourney, Esq., of Boston, to the Boston 
Athenwum, July, IslO. 

"The Bible is a thick-set, chubby quarto In two volumes. It bears the marks 
Of diligent and reverential use ; not even a pencil-mark has profaned its sacred 
pages." 

in this Bible there is a record of Antoine Olivier's numerous family. 



Biographical Sketches. 459 

Benjamin Bowdoin was engaged with Gabriel Bernon in the commerce 
of Oxford in the second settlement. He afterwards left Boston and re- 
moved to Virginia. Gabriel Bernou conveyed his estate in Oxford to 
James Bowdoin, a brother of Benjamin Bowdoin, in 1716, which was in 
the care of Bowdoin until 1720. 

"Fleury, in his Histoire Eclesiastique, Edit. 1779, gives an account of 
nineteen eminent persons from the 'Conipte de Flanders,' A. D. 862, to 
Baudouin, Jurisconsnlte, A. D. 1561." 

The Baudouin family ancestry can be traced to Baldwin, king of 
Jerusalem, who died in 1118, and his remains were deposited in a church 
on Mount Calvary. 

Governor Andros issued a warrant, dated Oct. 8, 1689, to the deputy 
surveyor, authorizing and requiring him to lay out one hundred acres of 
vacant land in Casco Bay for Pierre Baudouin. "Before the warrant 
was executed, however, Pierre Baudouin had obtained possession of a 
few acres of land on what is now the high road from Portland to 
Vaughan's Bridge, a few rods northerly of the house of the Hon. Nicho- 
las Emery. A solitary apple tree and a few rocks, which apparently 
formed the curbing of a well, were all that remained to mark the site of 
this original dwelling-place of the Bowdoins in America."* 

"At the period of the Revocation, one of its branches took refuge in 
Prussia, another fled to the Netherlands, and a third escaped to Eng- 
land." 

Pierre Baudouin [Bowdoin] of Boston on leaving France took refuge 
in the city of Dublin, Ireland. He then obtained an eligible position in 
the Royal Customs, but was finally induced to come to America and 
make a settlement in Casco, now Portland, in Maine in 1687. From 
Portland he removed to Boston with his family. He died in Boston, 
September, 1706, and his wife Elizabeth died August 18, 1720. 

He left two sons James and John, and two daughters Mary and Eliza- 
beth.! 

The Baudouin family, whose name in Boston has been changed to 
Bowdoin, were descended from one of the most ancient and honorable 
families in La Rochelle, France. Its diflerent branches were known by 
designations taken from the numerous seigneuries which they possessed. 
They were descended from Pierre Baudouin ccuyer, sieur de la Laigne, 
who married the daughter of Jean Bureau, mayor of La Kochellc, in 
1448. 

The Baudouins were conspicuous in La Rochelle for their Protestant 



*The Life and Services of James Bowdoin, by Robert C. Winthrop. 
tNew England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol x. pp. 76-79. 



460 The Records of Oxford. 

faith. "Several members of this family distinguished themselves by 
their services to the Protestant cause during the civil wars."* 

James, the son of Pierre Baudouin [Bowdoin], was a merchant of 
Boston greatly distinguished. He was a member of the Colonial Coun- 
cil for several years, and left the largest estate, it is said, that had ever 
been possessed by one person in the province. 

His son, Governor James Bowdoin, was an eminent statesman and 
patriot. Entering upon public life at the age of twenty-seven, he took 
a prominent part in the opposition to the encroachments of the crown 
during the period preceding the Revolution. Not long before the rupture 
with England, he was president of the council of government. The 
convention that assembled in 1779 to form a constitution, chose him as 
its presiding officer; and at the close of the war he was elected lieuten- 
ant-governor of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and succeeded 
Hancock as governor. 

James, the governor of Massachusetts, was born August 7, 1726, died 
November 5, 1790. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Erving. 
Governor James Bowdoin had two children by his last marriage. His 
son James married Sarah, a daughter of William Bowdoin and died 
without issue. His daughter Elizabeth married Sir John Temple, first 
British Consul-General to the United States, and had two sons, Sir 
Grenvllle and James, with two daughters. 

James, the only son of Gov. James Bowdoin, was very noticeable for 
his elegant scholarship, and for his refined and literary taste. He was 
appointed by the government of the United States plenipotentiary to 
the court of Madrid. He was also the munificent patron of the college 
that bore his name. 

Elizabeth, who married Thomas L. "Winthrop, Lieutenant-Governor 
of Massachusetts, and Augusta, were the daughters of Sir John Temple 
and Lady Elizabeth. Hon. Robert Charles Winthrop is the youngest of 
the children of Thomas L. Winthrop and Elizabeth Temple. 

Hon. Alexander DkWitt. 

At the age of fifteen years obtained a clerkship with the Merino Man- 
ufacturing Company in Dudley, where he remained some four years. 
While there he was frequently sent abroad (although but a youth, but 
manly in appearance and deportment), to secure sales of manufactures, 
and sometimes extended his travels through the Southern States. 

In the year 1818 he became a resident of Franklin, Mass. ; during the 
following year he formed business connections with Dr. Nathaniel Miller. 

[An incident of his childhood in New Bralntree gives a picture of his life. 
He had a contest on a certain occasion with a schoolfellow as to the occupa- 

* Huguenot Emigrations, vol. i., p. 280. 



Biographical Sketches. 461 

tion of a favorite seat in the schoolhouse. The teacher on beiujj appealed to 
decided that tlie one beins first at school the next day should have it. Alex- 
ander went home, told his mother of the case, and returning to the school- 
house established himself in the coveted seat and there spent the night. Very 
early in the morning his competitor arrived, but only to find himself preceded 
by his rival.] 

Previously to becoming a resident of Franklin he had decided to become 
interested in the fur trade and to proceed at once to Mackinaw, the great 
central station of the Northwestern American Fur Company. 

While a resident of Franklin he commanded one of the militia companies of 
that town, and was afterwards colonel of the 3rd regiment in the 2nd brigade. 

In 1826 Col. DeWitt became a resident of Oxford, Mass. 

In 1830 he was elected by the town of Oxford as a Democratic Repre- 
sentative to the General Court, and was continued in that office six 
jears.* In 1842, 1844, 1850 and 1851 he was elected Senator to the 
Massachusetts Legislature. In 1853 and 185G he was a member of con- 
ventions held for amending the Constitution of the State. He was for four 
years Representative for Worcester, South District, in Congress (in the 
years 1852, 1854, 1856 and 1857). In 1857 he was the American candi- 
date for Lieut. -Governor of Massachusetts. For many years he was 
engaged in railroad improvements, banks, insurance companies and 
other corporations, either as president or director. 

Hon. Alexander DeWitt, the son of Benjamin and Olivia (Campbell) 
DeWitt, was born iu New Braintree, Mass., April 2, 1798; died in 
Oxford, Mass., Jan. 13, 1879. Alexander DeWitt was married June 5, 
1820, to Mary, daughter of William Makepeace, Esq., of Franklin, Mass. 

[Copy.] Feb. y^ 13, 1787. Mr. Benjamin Witt (DeWitt) of New 
Braintree & Mrs. Olivia Campbell were married by A. Campbell. 
(Charlton) "recorded marriage iu Worcester County Records," 1788. 

Olivia was the daughter of Duncan Campbell, Esq. (son of Rev. John 
Campbell of Oxford). After her marriage she resided in New Braintree 
until 1793, when they became residents of Oxford, at an ancient house 
on tlie site of the present Episcopal Church, which was at that time the 
estate of her brother Samuel Campbell. They returned to New Brain- 
tree, where Mr. DeWitt died April 17, 1818. Mrs. DeWitt was re-married 
to Daniel Bacon of Charlton and died Feb. 5, 1848, at Franklin, Mass. 

Children of Benjamin and Olivia Campbell DeWitt Sternes : Sophia, 
Mary m. Amos Thompson of New Braintree, Hollis m. Sarah Harris of 
Oxford, Archibald m. Martha Fisher of Franklin, Susan m. Rufus Harris 

*In the years 1833 and 1834 he opposed the measures of the general govern- 
ment in the removal of the deposits from the United States Bank, in that it 
was a violation of contract, an agreement having been made to continue the 
deposits in that institution a stated period and which period had not expired. 
This severed for a time his connection with the Democratic party. 



462 The Records of Oxford. 

of Oxford, Alexander, Nancy m. Horace Smith of Leicester, Elizabeth 
m. Jonas Bacon of Charlton.* 

Benjamin DeWitt, b. Aug. 15, 1750, at Brookfleld, son of Lieut. John 
DeWitt, whose landed estate in Brookfleld is since known as the Samuel 
Cheever place. John de wit, the ancestor of Benjamin DeWitt was, 
from Holland, but of French extraction, the name originally " de vit." 
He was a resident of Salem or Lynn in 1630. where he died Dec. 2, 1675. 
His son, John DeWitt of Lynn, married Elizabeth Baker, June, 1676. 
His son, John 3d, born 1679, married Mary Dane; resided in Marl- 
borough 1707, and Ipswich. Lieut. John, son of John and Mary Dane, 
came to North Brookfleld, 1744. Children of Lieut. John DeWitt of 
North Brookfleld : Benjamin; Ivory; Stephen; Joseph; Mary, ra. May, 
1755, Ebenezer Tidd of New Braintree; Sarah, ra. 1777, Francis Stone 
of Brookfleld. 

Benjamin DeWitt was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was 
detailed as one of the guard at the execution of Major Andre. 

Sternes DeWitt in 1823 purchased a large landed estate with the 
water-power and mills once owned by Lieut. John Nichols, who came 
from Londonderry, Ireland, and a part once included in the estate of 
Peter Papillon, one of the original proprietors of the land. In 1824 Mr. 
DeWitt gave a deed of three undivided fourths of this estate to his 
three brothers, HoUis, Archibald and Alexander DeWitt. 

In 1826 the second landed estate in which Sternes DeWitt and his 
brother Alexander became interested with other gentlemen associated 
with them in what was known as the Nipmuck Country, included the 
Augutteback mill property and fine woodlands, which they most care- 
fully preserved in all their natural beauty, leaving groups of trees on 
the banks of the Maanexit or French Riyer. This property was once 
the Peter Papillon estate. At the pre>ent time known as Howarth. 

Stearns DeWitt, son of Benjamin and Olivia (Campbell) DeWitt, b. 
Dec. 22, 1787, at New Braintree, Mass.; died Nov. 29, 1848, at Oxford; 
m. Dec. 24, 1815, Hannah, dau. of Anthony Sigouruey Butler of Rut- 
land, Vt.f Children : Mary, who was married to Capt. Freeman Free- 
land of Sutton, March 5, 18G2. He was son of James Freeland of Sut- 
ton, and grandson of Dr. James Fieeland. Elizabeth, who died Sept. 
27, 1856. 

Mr. DeWitt was a gentleman of much influence, but did not aspire to 
public ofl^ce, was extensively known in the county and was quite noted 
for his fondness for flue horses. He was much esteemed in his life and 
for his many benefactions. In his person he was of medium height, 
stout, of a florid countenance, with blue eyes, dark brown hair, quite 



* Reference, New Braintree Town Records. 

fSee Campbell, Butler, Davie, Sigourney and Germaine records. 



Biographical Sketches. 463 

like an English gentleman; possessed of afl'able and agreeable manners, 
with a pleasing address. He was distinguished in commerce, manu- 
factures and banks. 

Note. William Makepeace, b. 17G3, was from Norton, being the son of the 
fifth in lineal descent of that name. When he was but fourteen years of age he 
served as a soldier for the defence of Rhode Island. He afterwards served in 
several campaigns in the Revolution ; subsequently he went a voyage to Aux 
Cayes on the Island of St. Domingo in the West Indies ; on his return he was 
married to Mary, daughter of Peter Whiting of Franklin. Mr. Makepeace 
then purchased a large landed estate and mills in Franklin. He was eugaged 
In all objects of public utility in town and parish, he was often selected to fill 
important offices of trust, and from his wealth and position had much influence. 
He was a justice of the peace for the County of Norfolk. At one time he was 
captain of the celebrated artillery company raiseil in the towns of Franklin, 
Belliugham, Medway, Wrentham and Walpole. Mr. Makepeace died at 
Oxford, March, 1855, age 91. 

ANC153TRY OF William Makepeace. 
In 1037, in a book of " Boston Possessions," it was agreed that Mr. Thomas 
Makepeace should have a house plot and garden place. " The 25 of the seventh 
month Sept. 1637 the Court direct that Thomas Makepeace have one house and 
garden bounded with Jeremy Hutchiu southeast, William Wilsou south the 
street westerly and the lane northerly." This house and garden were in Han- 
over Street near Court Street. Thomas Makepeace was a member of the 
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, being one of the original members. 
" He was a gentleman of consequence and of wealth." He had resided in 
Dorchester. "The 25 day of ye 5 month 1641, Record, Mrs. Elizabeth Mel- 
lowes, but now y wife of Mr. Makepeace of Dorchester, was granted Ire of 
Recommendation in Dorchester. Thomas Makepeace had the title of ' Mr.' in 
the church." " The 25 day of the 1st month called March, 1G39, Further at 
this meeting it appeared by a writing dated the first day of August, 1633, that 
Mr. John Underbill hath surrendered unto Mr. Thomas Makepeace of Dorches- 
ter his house in Boston with an hundred acres of upland ground at Muddy 
River and ten acres of meadow or marsh ground there ; his share of woodlands 
in the islands with a garden at the house and another behind Mr. Parker's 
house to the quantity of half an acre and somewhat more; and also near half 
an acre upon the Fort Hill, for sum of one hundred pounds." 

1G41, June 14, Thomas Makepeace being one of the proprietors of two patents 
of large tracts of land. " The Dover and the Swampscot Patents embracing in 
them from the Sea-side (near where Portsmouth now is) and covering the said 
land by the ryver unto the Fulls of Quamscot," which includes what is now 
Dover, N. H.; was one of the five patentees who petitioned the "General 
Court" to have patents and the jurisdiction over the people dwelling within 
the limits come under the government of Massachusetts which was granted. 

Thomas Makepeace. 

Robert Saltonstall. 

George Willys. 

William Whiting. 

Edward Holyoke. 



464 The Records of Oxford. 

In 1654 Thomas Makepeace was in the Narragansett expedition against the 
Indians, for which he received pay from the treasury of the Massachusetts Bay. 

Thomas, the oldest son, returned to England, as appears by the will of 
Thomas Makepeace: "I give and bequeath unto Thomas Makepeace mrai 
eldest sonn beyond the seas vizt. the house and land in England he being the 
heir to it which he hath long possessed." His estate in Boston was given to 
his son William, who afterwards became a resident of Norton. 

In the Makepeace ancestry it states Lawrence Washington of Gray's Inn, 
the Mayor of Northampton 1532-1545, had granted to him Sulgrave Manor in 
1538 by Henry VIII. Lawrence, the son of Lawrence Washington, was 
knighted, whose only daughter, Elizabeth, married Robert Shirley, Earl of 
Ferrers. Robert, an uncle to Elizabeth, inherited Sulgrave Manor and sold it 
to his nephew, Lawrence Makepeace. 

Coat of Arms of Thomas Makepeace: Az on a sesse, betw. two Leopards 
pass or. Three crosses crosslet fitcht'e Crest, a Leopard pass reguard, or, 
reposing his foot on a shield gee charged with a cross crosslet fitch6e. Motto, 
Spero. 

William Earle, born March 24, 1787, married Sophia, daughter of Benjamin 
and Olivia (Cami)bell) DeWitt, was the son of Col. Robert^ Earle of New 
Braintree, Mass., William,-' John,3 William,'- Ralph. 1 Col. Robert Earle was 
born at Dartmouth, now Westport, Mass., Sept., 1757. He married Mary, 
daughter of Thomas and Abigail Corey. Col. Earle removed to New Braintree 
in 1S14, and died in 1833. He was commissioned a captain in 17S1, afterward 
major in the regiment in which George Chighorn was colonel and lieut.-colonel 
aliout 1799. He was a justice of the peace and deputy sherift" of Bristol County, 
a gentleman of wealth and a man of marked energy. He was a grand juror 
and town treasurer of Westport. It is said he was a gentleman of fine appear- 
ance with agreeable and courtly manners. 

Col. Earle was the lineal descendant of Ralph Earle' of Portsmouth, R. I., 
who died in 1G98. His name is found at Newport in 1638. There is a record 
of him as having joined a " troope " of cavalry. He was afterwards captain of 
the troop. Ralph p]arlei claimed the lands of the "Dutch House of Good 
Hope" (now Hartford, Ct.), and commenced a lawsuit therefor against 
Richard Lord and James Richards of Hartford, possessors of the Dutch land, 
about 1667. " Earle affirmed be had purchased the land of one Underbill in 
1653 and paid him twenty pounds sterling for it." There are many papers 
upon the subject in the archives of Connecticut. 

The family of Earle is very ancient, it can be traced to a Saxon ancestry. 
"In the time of Henry II., who was crowned 1154, Henry de Erie was Lord of 
Newton of Beckington in the County of Somerset. See Dictionary of Landed 
Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland." 

" John de Eriegh then paid five marks for the scutage of his lands at Beck- 
ington." 

" In the time of Edward II., who was crowned 1307, they were Lords of the 
Manor of Somerton Parva, also called Somerton Erleigh in the County of 
Somerset which they held by grand Sergeancy, a King's Chamberlain— and in 
the reign of Edward III., who was crowned 1327, they held lands in the same 



Biographical Sketches. 465 

County by service of pouriug water on the King's hands on Easter or Christ- 
mas-day." 

The three counties, Dorset, Somerset, and Devon, adjoin each other and 
Exeter is the chief city of Devonshire. In these counties were many branches 
of the Earles. There are monuments of persons of the name in Exeter Cathe- 
dral. Kalpli Earlei came from Exeter to New England. There is mention 
made in the ancestry of Ralph Earle of a coat of arms. "I remember the 
horse's head only," said an ancient branch of the family. Several branches of 
the Earle family in England had on their coat of arms the crest a " nag's head " 
erased sable maned or. The ancient coat of arms in the possession of Ralph 
Earlei had the same crest. 

" A branch of the Somerset Erles settled in the County of Devon in the time 
of Edward III., John Erie holding lands of Ashburton twenty miles from 
Exeter. From the elder son of John Erie, who first settled at Ashburton, 
County of Devon, there are many lines of the Erles, all springing from a com- 
mon ancestry with him. 

Freeland. 

Mr. James Freeland in March, 176G, became a resident of Oxford. He 
was chosen a town warden in 1769 of Oxford. 

Mr. James Freeland married in Hopl<iDton, January, 1741, Sarah, 
daughter of Oliver Watson of Leicester. Mr. Freeland was a resident 
of Brimfleld in 1751. Mrs. Freeland died May, 1760, leaving a daughter 
Mary, baptized at Hopkinton in July, 1742. She married Gideon Smith, 
in September, 1772. Sept., 1765, Mr. Freeland, still residing in Brimfleld, 
married Elizabeth, the widow of John Thomas of Worcester and daugh- 
ter of Joseph Wiley of Oxford. In March, 1766, he purchased an estate 
in a part of Oxford called Prospect, at the junction of the Worcester 
and Leicester roads, known for many years as the Dr. Jonathan Learned 
estate.* 

Capt. Jeremiah Learned removed the house erected by James Freeland 
and built a house as a home for Dr. Learned, his son, who had married 
Annis, the daughter of Dr. Alexander Campbell of Oxford. 

The Freeland and McFreelandf families were of the same Scotch ex- 
traction, both branches having the same coat of arms, having, from 
political motives and their Christian faith, retired from Scotland to Lon- 
donderry, Ireland, afterwards to Dublin, previously to their coming to 
America. In 1725, or about that period of time, James Freeland, Sen., 
left Dublin and was accompanied to this country by two daughters, 
Anna (or Jane) and Rachel, and by two sons, James (afterwards of 



*The view fi'om the summit of Prospect Hill of the surrounding country, is 
very extensive. 

tThe ancient name of Freeland was a Saxon word " Vree landt," or " Vree 
land." 



466 The Records of Oxford. 

Oxford), an undergraduate of "Dublin University," and Thomas, the 
youngest of his family, a child of some seven years of age. Joseph, the 
eldest son, a young barrister, remained in Dublin; he never came to 
America. 

Mr. James Freeland was of Scotch parentage, a gentleman of polished 
manners, very quiet in his address and extremely fastidious in his toilet. 
The daughter of his nephevk^, Dr. James Freeland of Sutton, Mass., re- 
called him readily to her mind in extreme age as the gentleman who was 
often the guest of her father, whose delicate hands were shaded with 
deep ruffles. 

Mr. Freeland in 1770 married Mrs. Martha Smith of Springfield. He 
removed from Oxford July, 1778, and in 1790 he was a resident of West- 
fleld. A church record of Oxford, August 28, 1771 : "Baptized John, 
son of Aaron Parker and Abigail his wife. Col. Learned and wife, Mr. 
James Freeland and others were present." 

James Freeland, Sen., was a member of the established church of 
Scotland, and consulted Rev. Mr. McClenathan, the clergyman of his 
church, in reference to his proposed settlement in the new world. Mr. 
McClenathan decided to accompany Mr. Freeland to America, and sub- 
sequently became the clergyman of Blandford, Mass. His church was 
formed of many Scotch families. 

Anna (or Jane) a daughter of James Freeland, Sen., married a Mr. 
Black and resided in Blandford. Her sister Rachel married in Hopkinton 
Mr. Knox, Sept., 1741, and became a resident of Blandford. 

James Freeland, Sen., from Dublin and Londonderry, on his arrival 
in this country was first located at Lexington, subsequently at Hopkin- 
ton ; his farm was situated about one-half mile north of "Hopkinton 
Springs." 

From the "Church Records," Hopkinton. A copy: 

"Oct. 13, 1743. James Freeland, Sen., and his wife were admitted to 
full communion with this church, having been recommended from the 
Rev. Mr. Hancock, as partaking with ye church of X in Lexington, by 
virtue of a certificate from Ireland." 

James Freeland resided in Lexington until 1740, when the family re- 
moved to Hopkinton. 

Dr. James Freeland, sou of Thomas Freeland, who accompanied his 
father to America, was the first of his family who became a resident of 
Sutton. Previously to coming to Sutton, at the early age of sixteen 
years, in 1759, he was in the "French and Indian war," having entered 
the provincial army by enlisting in one of the colonial regiments under 
the command of Col. Thomas Mellen of Hopkinton, as one of his aids. 
He was in the expedition to capture Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and 
attack Quebec. The French, with their Indian allies, far outnumbered 



Biographical Sketches. 467 

the English and colonial forces. As a ruse de guerre to cause the 
French to believe that large reiuforcenients from England were being 
lauded under the command of the "Prince of Wales" in person (the 
"Prince of Wales," afterward George III., King of England, being at 
this time in the bloom of youth, affable and engaging in his manners), 
Col. Mellen and other officers appointed James Freeland to personate the 
young Prince, splendidly mounted, and uniformed in his royal red regi- 
mentals. He appears, with an escort, at the scene of war, as if just 
arrived from England by the way of the St. Lawrence, and now holding 
a review of English and colonial troops. The ruse itself and its execu- 
tion were so well planned by Colonel Mellen that the soldiers in his own 
regiment were in full belief they were forming in the review of the 
"Prince of Wales." 

It was well calculated to arouse the courage of soldiers, disheartened 
from the lack of numbers and ill provided for in their long and perilous 
march. It is said Col. Mellen divided his forces to make an appearance 
of a large number of troops. History states the French could not hope 
to make a successful resistance, and deserted their fortifications to the 
English. 

On the thirty-flrst of October, 1770, Dr. James Freeland was united in 
marriage to Mehetabel, daughter of Colonel Thomas Mellen of Hopkin- 
ton, born 1752, and soon came to Sutton and established himself as a 
physician, in what was then the North Parish. His residence was upon 
what is now known as "Millbury Common." 

Early in the commencement of the war of the Revolution, he received 
the appointment of Surgeon in the United States Army, in which he 
served with distinction. He used often to refer to his practice as a 
surgeon in different engagements during the war. In the battle of 
White Plains, which occurred October 28, 1776, during the night follow- 
ing the engagement, he amputated thirteen limbs from the wounded. 

After his retirement from the army he resumed the practice of his 
profession in Sutton, and occupied a high position as a physician and 
surgeon. He had, under his instruction, many medical students. He 
usually made his visits to his patients on horseback, and would at times 
be seen accompanied by a large number of his students, on horseback, 
forming quite a noticeable cavalcade. 

Doctor James Freeland died October, 1790, aged 52 years. Mrs. Free- 
land died March 23, 1792, aged 40 years. 

Dr. Freeland was a gentleman, well educated and extremely well bred. 
It is said he was an agreeable and most pleasing companion, very fas- 
tidious in his dress and general appearance ; he would call often on his 
hair-dresser in Worcester to arrange his toilet and adjust his queue in 
court style. His dress, previous to the revolutionary war, consisted of 



468 ' The Reco7'ds of Oxford. 

a dress coat of flue broadcloth of a brilliant red color, velvet small- 
clothes, long hose with silver knee and shoe buckles, deep ruffled linen 
and a three-cornered hat. A physician (Dr. Borden of Charlton), ob- 
serving Dr. Freeland bow in salutation to some friend, remarked aside, 
that "such a salutation was a priceless accomplishment." 

Campbell. 

From the Boston Neios-Lelter, No. 2971. 

Oxford, May 28, 1761.—" On the 25 Instant died here the Rev. John 
Campbell, in the 71st year of his Age, a Gentleman greatly beloved and 
esteemed. He was born in the North of Scotland, educated at Edin- 
burgh, where he had the Benefit and Honours of that University. He 
came over to New England Anno 1717, was ordained Pastor of the 
church here Anno 1721, where with great Wisdom and Fidelity he con- 
tinued to execute the several Parts of his Office for more than 40 years. 
In his Preaching he was strictly Orthodox, much improved in Ecclesi- 
astical Councils, and Happy in the Peace and Harmony of the Church 
here. In his last sickness he sustained the Prospect of his approaching 
Death with great serenity, as knowing Him in whom he had believed. 
His remains were decently interred Yesterday ; the Funeral was attended 
not only by this Town, but by great Numbers from the adjacent Towns, 
formed an unusually long and orderly Procession. He hath left a sor- 
rowful Widow, four Sons, and two Daughters. His Death is a general 
Loss; but especially so to this Town, who well may be supposed to 
tremble when such a Pillar fell. Zech. 1, 5 : 'Your Fathers, where are 
they, and the Prophets, do they live forever? '" 

The following epitaph is inscribed upon the Rev. John Campbell's 
tomb-stone in the old church-yard, near the south common in Oxford : 

" Intoom'd here lieth y" body of y" Rev'd Mr. .John Campbell who died 
May 25, 1761, in y" 71 yr. of his Age. he was born in y*' north of Scot- 
land. Educated at Edenburgh & had y* benefit & Honors of y" Univer- 
sity came to N. England A. D. 1717 & vras Ordain'd Pastor of y Church 
in Oxford A. D. 1721 where with great wisdom & fidelity he continued 
to Execute y" several parts of his office for more than 40 years, in his 
last sickness he sustained y prospect of his approaching death with 
great serenity as knowing him in whom he had believed. 

" The sweet remembrance of the just 
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust." 

Rev. John Campbell's decease. On 25 May, 1761, the day of Mr. 
Campbell's decease, the town authorities issued precepts to both north 
and south constables ordering the warning of a town meeting to be held 



Biographical Sketches. 469 

on the 26th to make preparations for the funeral. The meeting was 
holden but no recorded action appears excepting a vote appropriating 
£10 to pay expenses. The funeral was on the 27th. 

The following is in the town archives :— 

" Received in full by the hands of Josiah Wolcott Town Treasurer tlie 
sum of Sixty PouDds Salary aud also the sum of Thirty Seven Pounds 
nine Shillings for Bearers, Preaching, and also for a ten pound grant by 
said Town for Funeral Charges, it being iu full of all Demands the Heirs 
of Rev. Mr. Campbell has against the Town. 

Subscribitures Alexander Campbell "t Executors 

William Campbell / to s' Will." 

The same account was given by Mrs. Kingsbury, widow of Capt. 
Jeremiah Kingsbury, aud a communicant of Rev. Mr. Campbell's ciuuch." 
Mrs. Kingsbury at her decease was more than 90 years of age. 

There is an error in regard to the birth of Rev. John Canrpbell, and of 
his age at tlie time of his decease. He must have been born about the 
year 1681, as is shown by the University Records at Edinburgh of his 
graduation in 1698-1700. 

Rev. John Campbell was the author of a work. The followiu- is 
from the title-page : '' 

"A Treatise on Conversion, Truth, aud Justification, etc.; being 
Extracts from Sundry Discourses delivered at Oxford, in the latter end 
of the year 1741, and beginning of 1742." 

The volume is a 12mo, of 300 pages, printed at Boston, 1743, "dedi- 
cated to my well beloved congregation, aud much desired in our Lord 
Jesus Christ." f 

In record of the publishment of Rev. John Campbell, "Mr John 
Campbell and Ester Whetly," that of his marriage John Campbell and 
Ester Whittle: by Wm. Waldroun, 6 Feb., 1722, Boston, Brick Church. 

Mrs. Rachel Blackman of Charlton, a lineal descendant of Mary a 
daughter of Rev. John Campbell, narrated that his eldest daughter 
Mary (Campbell) Towne, stated that Madame Esther Campbell, her 
mother, before her marriage to Mr. Campbell, was engaged to be mar- 
ried to a gentleman in England (Mr. William Skepper), whose name she 
gave to one of her sons-all the other names of her children were given 
by Mr. Campbell to remind him of his friends in Scotland. 

* Reminiscences of Mrs. Duncan Campbell, daughter-in-law to Rev. John 
Campbell, who died in 1821, aged 91 years, viz. : " Rev. John Campbell was an 
older person than was stated at his decease." 
daif '''*'""'' '' '"" preserved as a relic by M. de W. Freeland, a lineal descen- 

tThe name was Wheatly or Whately. 



47o The Records of Oxford. 

The original portrait of Madame Esther Campbell, painted when 17 
years of age, was in the possession of her son, Capt. William Campbell, 
whose home was ever with his mother. Mrs. Campbell died of the 
smallpox, March 11, 1777. At his decease it was presented by him to 
his daughter Sarah, who married Dr. Shaw of Putney, Vt., and at her 
decease, to her son, Hon. Henry Shaw of Lanesboro, Mass. Through 
the kindness of Mrs. Shaw a copy was permitted, the only one ever 
taken. In Madame Campbell's portrait she is represented in the charac- 
ter of Proserpina, a goddess of harvesting, as was the fashion for ladies 
in her time to assume a character. It was painted by Cooper, a famed 
artist in Edinburgh, 1717. 

All the original branches of Rev. John Campbell's family agree in the 
following statement, viz. : that Rev. John Campbell came to America to 
avoid proscription for some political offence. It is said that he was in 
the Rebellion of 1715, being in favor of the House of Stuart. 

TAc Children of Bev. John and Esther ( Wheatly) Campbell: 

Mary, b. Feb. 11, 172,3; John, b. Feb. 7, 1724; Isabella, b. March 27, 
1726, d. March 21, 1728; Duncan, b. March 27, 1727; Isabella, b. July 
26, 1728; Elizabeth, b. August 14, 1730, d. July 12, 1732; Alexander, b. 
Feb. 12, 1732; William, b. April 2, 1734; Archibald, b. August 6, 1736. 

From Mary Campbell, the eldest daughter, who married Jacob Town, 
were descended: Hon. General Salem Towne of Charlton, and his son, 
late Hon. General Salem Towne of Charlton, both distinguished gentle- 
men of their time; and from John Campbell, the eldest son, are 
descended the Campbells of Otsego County, New York. 

From Duncan and Elizabeth (Sterue) Campbell are descended : Captain 
Sternes and Hon. Alexander DeWitt of Oxford, and their brothers, 
HoUis and Capt. Archibald DeWitt, and also the late Maj. Archibald 
Campbell of Oxford, and his descendants. 

Isabella married Josiah Wolcott, Esq., of Salem, Mass., who became 
a resident of Oxford. Capt. William Campbell was distinguished in the 
War of the Revolution. Dr. Alexander Campbell married Lydia, a 
daughter of Capt. Thomas Sterne of Worcester, Avhose sister had mar- 
ried his brother Duncan Campbell. Dr. Alexander Campbell was the 
first physician of Oxford. Rev. Archibald Campbell was a chaplain in 
the array of the Revolutionary War. 

Children of Duncan and Elizabeth (Sterne) Campbell who were pub- 
lished Dec, 1749: Elizabeth, b. Nov., 1750; Samuel, b. August, 1752; 
John, b. August, 1754; Mary, b. March, 1757; Thomas, b. April, 1759, 
d. in Putney, Vt., June, 1844, aged 84 years; Lucretia, b. Dec, 1762; 
Patty (Martha), b. Feb., 1765; Olivia aud Sophia (twins), b. Dec, 
1767; Alexander, b. Dec, 1769; Archibald, b. August, 1776.* 



* Reference to the town of Dudley, records with Oxford. 



Biographical Sketches. 471 

Elizabeth, daughter of Duncan Campbell, was married to Ezra Bow- 
man, then a resident of Dudley, April 4, 1770. Ezra Bowman in 1773 
purcha8ed in Oxford of Dr. Alexander Campbell the centre tavern on 
the great plain. Children : Rufus, Thomas, Sophia, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, 
Polly, Alexander. The estate which Mr. Bowman purchased of Dr. 
Alexander Campbell was known as the Benjamin Chamberlain estate, 
an original proprietor, afterward as the Samuel Davis estate, and con- 
veyed by him to William Davis in 1724, and by him in 1760 to Dr. Alex- 
ander Campbell. 

Duncan Campbell, Esq., died January, 1795. At the time of his 
decease he was residing in a house situated on the site of the Sigourney 
brick mansion, corner of Main street and Sutton road ; he died very 
suddenly, while walking upon the street, being just in front of the old 
red tavern; his friend, Mr. Nathan Thurston (accompanied by his son 
Alexander, a child), hastened to his assistance. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Sterne Campbell died Nov. 18, 1821, aged 91 years. 
She was residing at the mansion of the late Israel Sibley on Main street, 
occupying the northwest parlor. The funeral services were at the 
house of her grandson, the late Sternes DeWitt. 

Elizabeth, daughter of Duncan Campbell, was married to Ezra Bow- 
man, Esq., of Oxford. 

Dec. 15, 1774, Samuel Campbell was married to Ruth Nichols. 
Children : John, Samuel, Henry, Abijah, William, Rufus, Sternes, 
Alexander and Elizabeth. 

John Campbell, son of Duncan, was educated for a physician, married 
Martha Stevens, was first established in Ward, now Auburn, but soon 
removed to Putney, Vt., where he received great patronage, and died in 
Putney, Dec, 1820, aged 67 years. Children: John, Archibald, Sophia, 
Charles, Betsey, Polly, Patty, Laura. 

The last five children see Putney Records.* 

Alexander Campbell, sou of Duncan Campbell, was educated for a 
physician and resided in Putney, Vt. In 1790 he married Jerusha 
Wilder of Putney. She died in 1818. He died 1839, aged 70 years. 

Children, John, who became a distinguished physician of Putney, he 
died 1866, aged 74 years. 

Dr. Alexander and his son. Dr. John Campbell, were honored in public 
life. Nancy married David Crawford of Putney. Martha was married 
to Mr. Seth Washburn of Putney. Benjamin Franklin, a resident of 
Boston, Mass. George was a resident of Gouverneur, N. Y. Clark 
Brown and Alexander Sterne of Putney. Eliza M. was married to 



*Samuel, son of Samuel and Ruth (Nichols) Campbell, died Jan. 19,1796, 
aged 18 years. 



473 The Records of Oxford. 

Theopliilus Crawford, who was a brother to Judge Crawford. Dr. 
Alexander Campbell was remarried to Achsah Richardson. Children : 
Emma and Helen. Lucretia, daughter of Duncan and Elizabeth Sterne 
Campbell, married John T. Hurley and resided in Boston. She remar- 
ried. 

Martha was married to Capt. William Moore, distinguished in the war 
of the Revolution. He died in Oxford. 

Mrs. Moore died in Beloit, Wis. Children : three daughters, Sophia, 
Mrs. Russell, and Clarisa, Mrs. Col. Mixter, both of New Braintree, 
Betsey, Mrs. Goodhue, and one son, Tyler Moore of Beloit, Wis. 

Mary, a daughter of Duncan Campbell, born 1757, was married to 
John Walker, an English gentleman. Mrs. Walker died in Oxford. 
Children: John died in childhood; Sophia and Olivia (twins), Sophia 
died in childhood; Olivia married (1) Benjamin DeWitt of New Braintree, 
(2) Daniel Bacon of Charlton. 

Major Archibald Campbell of Oxford was the j'^oungest son of Duncan 
Campbell, Esq. He married Celia, the daughter of James and Mary 
Sigourney Butler of Oxford. Children : Mary, died at two years of age ; 
B. Franklin died in infancy; Archibald, B. Franklin, James, Mary, and 
Celia, who married Rev. Samuel H. Hlggius, Oct. 4, 1849. 

Major Campbell was a gentleman distinguished in his time, and at his 
decease liis death was viewed as a public loss to the entire community. 
He was possessed of great natural endowments of mind. He died at 
Oxford, Oct. 5, 1818. Mrs. Celia Campbell died May 20, 1851. 

Archibald Campbell, Jr., married Artimesia Wheelock, a granddaughter 
of General Salem Towne of Charlton and of Campbell ancestry. 

Mr. Campbell resided several years in California; died in Oxford. 
B. Franklin Campbell, a merchant, resided in Boston, married Mary, 
daughter of David Lilley of Oxford. James B. Campbell, a lawyer, 
resided in Charleston, S. C, married Margaret, a daughter of Gov. 
Bennett of South Carolina. He fitted for college at Nichols Academy 
(Dudley) , completed 182G a course of study at Brown University, went to 
Edisto Island, S. C, taught four years, in the meantime reading law, and 
began study in 1830 with Hon. Hugh S. Legare at Charleston, in 1832 
established himself in practice in that city, and for many years stood in 
the front rank in the State in his profession. As a lawyer " he had no 
peer in breadth and subtilty of intelligence, and his dialectic skill was 
conspicuous on all occasions. ... A man of power, of energy, of 
tenacity, he enjoyed the controversies in which quarter is neither asked 
nor given." He was a debater of great eloquence, sarcasm and inge- 
nuity. His practice Ijecame extensive, and the most important causes 
were committed to his management.* 



*He in one instance i-eceived a retaining fee of fifty thousand dollars. 



Biographical Sketches. 473 

Dr. Alexander Campbell of Oxford, son of Rev. John Campbell, was 
married May, 1759, to Lydia, daughter of Captain Thomas Sterne of 
Woi'ccster. Children : Edward Raymond, Lydia, who married Dr. 
Wright of Putney, Vt., Alexander, born Dec, 1762, Sally, born June, 
1769, married Nathan Thurston of Oxford, Polly Sterne, born October, 

1771, married Simmons and resided at Rockingham, Vt. ; in second 

marriage Mr. Stratton; Mirriam, born April, 1774, married a Mr. Wilcox 
of Stockbridge, Vt., Esther, born March, 1765, married Dr. Day of 
Rockingham, Vt., Annise, born December, 1766, married Dr. Jonathan 
H. Learned of Oxford. 

Dr. Alexander Campbell died in Oxford, Dec. 28, 1782. Lydia, widow 
of Dr. Alexander Campbell, died March 19, 1816. 

Edward Raymond, a physician, resided in Westminster, Vt. Inscrip- 
tion upon tombstone: "Dr. Edward R. Campbell died Nov. 1830, se. 72 
yrs." Anne, wife of Edward R. Campbell, died Sept., 1827, «. 58 years. 

Children: Edward R. Campbell, died Sept. 3, 1850, ae. 60, John, 
Frazer, Sidney, Eunice and Matilda. Alexander, son of Dr. Alexander 
Campbell of Oxford, and brother of Dr. Edward Raymond Campbell, 
was a physician, and resided and died in Rockingham, Vt. 

Children : Edward of Rockingham, afterward Grafton and Windsor, 
Vt. ; Alexander, a lawyer of Bellows Falls, Vt. ; Henry and John resided 
in Boston, afterward Saxton's River, Vt. ; Harriet married Dr. Mann; 
Rhoda married Dr. Jarvis Chase. The youngest daughter married a 
Mr. Wheaton. 

"Nov. 1, 1771. This day about 10 o'clock A. M. the dwelling-house 
of Dr. Alexander Campbell at Oxford took fire, his books and all his 
accounts were entirely consumed, as also a fine assortment of drugs 
newly imported from England. This house was finished to the doctor's 
mind, which he enjoyed but a few weeks, and then the account says, 
this cruel master deprived him thereof. The loss is computed at least 
to be one thousand pounds lawful money. The house was near the 
bridge on the Sutton road." 

A copy from a biographical note of Rev. Archibald Campbell, youngest 
son of Rev. John Campbell, by Dr. Daniel Huntington (now deceased) 
of Stockbridge, Vt. : Archibald Campbell was born at Oxford, Massa- 
chusetts, 17 August, 1736; entered Harvard College when he was 21 
years old and graduated in 1761. 

He was ordained at Easton, Mass., 17 Aug., 1763, where he continued 
as a clergyman till January 1, 1783. He was resettled at Charlton, 
Mass., January 8, 1783, where he remained till April 9, 1793. After this 
he preached at Cornish, N. H., at Putney, Vt., and Stockbridge, Vt., 
without having any settlement, and died at Stockbridge, Vt., July 15, 
1818, aged 82 years. He is buried on Stockbridge Common. He was 



474 The Records of Oxford. 

appointed by the court one of the first Trustees of the Academy at 
Leicester, Mass. 

Rev. Archibald Campbell was married to Hannah, daughter of Isaac 
Barnard, Esq., Nov. 15, 1762, of the North Parish. In Sutton Town 
Records.* 

His daughter, Mrs. Sophia (Campbell) Pollard, stated her father. 
Rev. A. Campbell, was at one time a chaplain in the U. S. service, 
stationed in Rhode Island, but that he was at heart a loyalist. Mrs. 
Pollard died in Stockbridge, July, 1857. 

Archibald, born 1765, a son of Rev. Archibald Campbell, married in 
1788 Martha (McLaughlin) Laflin of Charlton, where she died in 1792, 
aged 24. 

A letter from Mr. G. Gregory, P. M., of Locke, N. Y., dated Feb. 26, 
1842, to Mrs. Sophia Pollard of Stockbridge, Vt., respecting obtaining 
a pension for Mrs. Demmon, her niece, of Locke, whose father, Archi- 
bald Campbell, Jr. (son of Rev. Archibald Campbell), was in the war of 
U. S. service; he is supposed to have died at Detroit in 1803, of a 
" sweeping sickness" of which many soldiers died : 

" Government has now on record the fact your brother was in service 
nnder General Wayne, and he is credited on the records for his services 
and nothing on record to appear he ever had pay." 

Archibald Campbell, Jr., wrote home in 1799, from Detroit, that hi3 
first term of service had expired and that he had enlisted again for five 
years. The last letter received from him was in 1803. He left his two 
children, Barnard and Martha, with his father. Rev. Archibald Camp- 
bell of Stockbridge. Martha married Wm. Demmon; a daughter, Mrs. 
Jane L. Cropsey, and a sister, Mrs. Caroline Maltbey, reside at Locke, 
N. Y. ; a third daughter, Mrs. Martha Minturn, resides at Cortland, N. Y. 

Capt. William Campbell, son of Rev. John Campbell, resided with his 
father on the landed estate now known as belonging to the descendants 
of Nathan Hall. In 1778, Capt. Campbell removed from Oxford to 
Brookline, Mass. (it is said Rev. John Campbell owned an estate in 
Brookline). Subsequently Capt. Campbell purchased an estate in 
Putney, Vt. The house on the estate was a few years since in fine 
preservation. Leaving Putney he resided in Castleton, Vt., where he 
died Feb. 11, 1808. Mrs. Campbell died Sept. 21, 1802. Their torab- 



* Extracts from a letter of Rev. T. S. Hubbard, Rochester, Vt., dated Feb- 
ruary 1, 1871 (Rev. Mr. Hubbard was formerly of Stockbridge, Vt.) : "The 
library of Rev. Archibald Campbell is said to have been sold to Dr. Hunting- 
ton, and was destroyed when the doctor's office, including medicine and much 
of his library, was burned." Rev. John Campbell gave his library to his son 
Archibald. 



Biographical Sketches. 475 

stones are in Castleton burying-ground. Capt. Campbell was dis- 
tinguished in the Revolution.* 

Capt. William Campbell married Mary, the daughter of Uriah and 
Mary (Blount) Stone of Oxford, Oct. 25, 1759. t 

Children : Sarah, William, Daniel, Mary, Josiah, Sarah, Lucy, Isabella, 
William, Abbie and William. 

John Campbell, son of John Campbell, Jr., and grandson of Rev. John 
Campbell, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Uriah and Mary 
(Blount) Stone. 

John Campbell, son of John and the grandson of Rev. John Camp- 
bell, purchased a large tract of land in Otsego County, N. Y., when it 
was mostly a wilderness. He was ever spoken of as an intelligent and 
honorable gentleman. At the time of his settlement at Milford in that 
county there were no schools within ten miles of his landed estate, but 
his children all received a home education from private masters. The 
sons became useful and noticeable citizens. The daughters were eligible 
and became the heads of good families. Children of John and Elizabeth 
(Stone) Campbell: Jeremiah, John Abijah died in Oxford, Abijah, 
William, Samuel, Sylvanus, Elizabeth and Ruth. 

Gilbert E., son of Sylvanus and Martha (Marsh) Campbell, was born 
in 1809 in Milford. He married Mary, daughter of Dr. Joseph Lindsay, 
also of Scotch ancestry, of Oneonta, Otsego Co. Mr. Campbell became 
a resident of Oneonta, and his ancient mansion-house is the home of 
Dudley M. Campbell, Esq., a retired lawyer, and his brother, L. J. 
Campbell, the historian. J 

It was voted that Israel Town should entertain Rev. John Campbell 
on his arrival in Oxford. Mr. Town's residence was on Town's Plain, 
the estate opposite Town's Pond. 

The only sermon extant of Rev. John Campbell in his own handwrit- 
ing is from Gen. ix. 9, 10, which he closes with the " tokens of the cov- 
enant." " Rainbow hues never appear so beautiful as when set upon a 
dark cloud." 

From a sermon preached at his funeral. Lam. ii. 13, Rev. William 



* The house and landed estate in Putney, of Capt. William Campbell, adjoined 
or was very near that of his nephew, Dr. John Campbell, once of Oxford. 

t Uriah Stone was the son of John Stone of Sudbury and Framingham and 
Anno Tileston of Dorchester, in ancestry he was descended from Gregory 
Stone of Cambridge and a proprietor at Watertown, who was distinguished in 
his time. 

J Tradition states that Rev. Mr. Campbell in his youth was taught to weave 
silk. It is also a tradition that his father on his estate had a large herd of 
cattle, including sixty cows. Mr. Campbell was often named as Col. Camp- 
bell and that he was a Colonel of the Scots Greys in Scotland. 



4^6 The Records of Oxford. 

Phips of Douglas gives a sketch of Mr. Campbell. It is stated he " was 
a gentleman of extraordinary endowments and was well furnished with 
embellishing acquirements and more especially for his acquaintance 
with the affairs of history and State policy." 

" Surely I conceive God has made a wide Breach upon the Churches 
of this vicinity, but more immediately upon this church and Town. O 
Oxford, Oxford! What thing shall I take to witness for thee? What 
thing shall I liken to thee? or what shall I equal to thee that I may 
comfort thee? for thy Breach is great like the sea, who can heal thee?" 

In these days Mr. Campbell, like other clergymen of colonial times, 
visited the schools and catechised the children, was attentive to the sick 
and distressed, rode about town on horseback with his cocked hat and 
flowing wig. From an old record of an English trading-house in Oxford, 
1753, there is this charge to liev. Mr. Campbell: "2 wiggs of (Giles, 
Boston) £28-0-0." 

Rev. Mr. Phips states that Mr. Campbell from his army life had 
acquired a knowledge in the art of physic, and that he frequently 
administered to his people as a physician in their sickness and charitably 
gave them both his medicines and advice. " When was the day, when 
was the uight, what was the weather, what were the storms, or what 
the way which hindered him from being quickly with you in your dis- 
tresses, when his strength and health allowed." 

Mr. Campbell in his will, after making a settlement upon Madam 
Esther Campbell, his wife, he gives her las silver spoons and his gold 
rings, to be equally divided at her decease between his two daughters, 
Mary and Isabella. He names with others, his youngest son Archibald, 
" to be paid one thousand pounds, old tenor, at my decease. I bequeath 
unto said Archibald my apparel of every description, my entire library, 
my watch, ray gold wrist buttons, my knee and shoe buckles, and my 
young black mare, to be well kept and supported on my said farm sum- 
mer and winter cost free when said Archibald has no occasion to use 
her, and make my house his home in ye same manner he used in my life 
time, and I do enjoyn my Ex^ to pay all just demands that are or may 
become due at Cambridge for his support, education and clothing till 
after the next commencement." Mr. Campbell bequeathed to his two 
grandsons, John Campbell, son of Duncan, and Edward Raymond, son 
of Alexander Campbell, a portion of his estate known as the Campbell 
Grant, lying on the south-east side of the Roxbury School Farm, and 
east of the great pond called Chaubunagungamaug pond, extending 
south more than a mile on the lake shore. "I enjoin on my Executors to 
sell this estate and keep the proceeds on good security towards the educa- 
tion of my two grandsons, John and Edward Raymond." After mention- 
ing his son William, he gives to him his negro servant Will, to be 



Biographical Sketches. 477 

kindly used, improved and supported by him during his natural life and 
at the expiration thereof to give him a decent Christiau burial. Will 
became quite a character in the family, enrolled as a soldier in the army 
of 1775 and furnished with a horse and arms to accompany his master, 
Capt. William Campbell, at the siege of Boston. 

Mr. Campbell was a gentleman very efficient in all business negotia- 
tions, his name is often found in the court records. He was the pro- 
prietor of 1,000 acres of landed estate. When the Papillon estate of 
8,000 acres of land, in 1736, was divided among the heirs he was one of 
three gentlemen to whom the division was entrusted. 

Mr. Campbell's memorial to the authorities in the matter of his execu- 
torship of the will of Richard Williams. 

John Ballard of Boston married Martha (Papillon), the widow of 
AVilliams, and was the guardian of the minor children. He objected in 
the Probate Court to Mr. Campbell's account, the judge having allowed 
him £40 for his services, and he appealed to the State executive in 
Boston. 

" Whereas his Excellency William Shirley, Governor, and the Hon- 
orable His Majiestie's Council upon the 27 of February, 1755, were 
pleased to accept the report of the Committee of this honorable board 
upon the appeal of John Ballard from the decree of the Judge of Probate 
of Worcester County, expressing their opinion upon the several reasons 
of said appeal; and, whereas, the honorable Committee have candidly 
and justly considered and pronounced the groundlessness of the first, 
second, third, fourth and fifth of the said reasons, I thankfully acquiesce 
therein ; but inasmuch as the committee in my humble comprehension 
have not so determinately and particularly expressed themselves on the 
last reason of the said appeal as I would wish, and expected, viz., the 
article of allowance for trouble, toil and expenses in settling the estate 
of said Williams which occasions this address. Wherefore, I beseech 
the honorable the Lieut. -Governor and this honorable board in your 
great clemency to hear me in a few words, shewing wherein my griev- 
ance lies. 

"And may it please your honors to observe, 1. That my original 
account amounted to £791. 3s. Id., also an additional account of £33. 
6s. 8d. which I sold the real estate for more than the appraisement. 
These two sums amount to £824. 9s. 9d. lawful money as appears by my 
account settled by the judge of probate. 2. That there was not one 
farthing of cash that I could find belonging to the said estate and but 
one bond containing about nine pounds beside Madam Mary Wolcott's 
land [bond?] conditioned for 140 acres of rough and uncultivated land 
in Killingly, in Connecticut, which could not procure a title to said land, 
both which appears by the inventory and that part of my apology for- 



478 The Records of Oxford. 

mally forwarded to his Excellency the Governor and your Honors rela- 
tive to them ; that therefore this large sum must be made of the real 
estate and a few moveables; accordingly the eflects were sold, the 
several considerations secured, the money in a great measure collected, 
the debts paid to the creditors, dispersed almost all over the province 
and part of Connecticut, receipts and other vouchers obtained in order 
to settle with the judge of probate, and all at large expense of time and 
money, and the risk of the whole estate to be borne by me from the 
beginning of my administration until all is paid and the time of my 
servitude expired. The deliberate and just consideration of the pre- 
mised reasons induced the judge of probate to make me the allowance 
of 40 Pounds, as may be seen in the settlement. Add to these that I 
was obliged in the months of February and March last to travel to 
Boston, first, to answer the reasons of said appeal, and next to answer 
two writs served on me by Messrs. John Ballard and his Attorney, at 
the great expense of my health, which was then much impaired, and my 
purse which was not very heavy; but nevertheless I must bear all 
charges in this affair. Now may it please the Lieut.-Governor and your 
Honors to permit me to persuade myself that after so clear a represen- 
tation made of facts and so well supported, you will be pleased to explain 
that part of the honorable Committee's report which relates to the arti- 
cle of allowances to the better understanding of yourselves and your 
most humble memorialist. 

"Surely your honors will not think that a loose receipt dated Sept. 
26, 1743, containing £4. Gd. old tenor with depreciation and interest can 
be satisfaction proportionable to such extensive and expensive services 
and sufferings as I have been obliged to undergo in discharging my 
trust. But if, after all I have most humbly offered, your Honors should 
remain of the opinion that the loose receipt as above delineated is suffi- 
cient satisfaction for the trouble and expense I have been and am still 
exposed to in the administration of said Williams' estate ; and as it is 
said in the report of the Honorable Committee that the saving has been 
to my pupil Mr. Josiah Wolcott and that therefore the greater part of 
the allowance should lie upon him, I beseech your Honors that said 
Wolcott be expressly subjected to the payment thereof, since he utterly 
refuseth to pay or allow any part thereof on my account with him, 
although he received in cash what saving there was some time before 
the appeal. Doubtless, your Honors will easily see how much I stand 
in need of your relief in this dilemma. 

"In line, I most humbly beg your Honors favorable consideration and 
direction respecting the payment of two dividends of the residue of my 
Testator's estate that it be deferred to some distant period, since the 
debts and legacies are already discharged for these reasons: 1. 



Biographical Sketches. ^Hg 

Because it is tlae express will of the Testator that the two said dividends 
be kept ou uuerest till his only sou arrives at a lawful age. 2. Because 
It IS almost impossible for your memorialist to collect so large a sum a 
so short a time as Mr. John Ballard, Guardian, has set him ; co'ide " 
mg that several debtors to the estate have been and some are yet iu his 

tenor. .. Because the present almost universal distress of New En- 
land makes it very difficult for most men to make speedy payment of'a 

In^tliTelTe^^Te.^" ^"'' ^"^ ""• ^^"^^^ ^^ un^fll^^g toM^ 

"Your Honor's resolution and determination upon the premises fas 
m your great wisdom and goodness you think reasonable) isTrnes^y 
o.cited by your most humble memorialist, which will obi ge hhua a 
duty bound ever to pray. (signed) JOHN CAMPBELL.' 

[This petition was dismissed on the ground that the case was out of 
the jurisdiction of the Lieut.-Governor and Council.] 

Daniel Campbell was a physician, married Luciua Hurlburt and 
resided in Middlebury, Vt., four children: Daniel Lucius, Mary Jul 
Sarah Luciua, William. ^ ' 

Dr. Daniel Campbell was re-married to Elizabeth Sedgwick of Stock- 
bridge, Mass., and resided in Canton, N. Y. Children^ Eliza, Gratia 
Benjamin, George W. widuia, 

ci "n"^; iry:r is^f • "• ^^" "' ''''■ ^'^-^-'^ «-^-- 

A letter from William Campbell, a son of Dr. Daniel Campbell 

describes a visit that he made to his uncle William in Vir^nia He 

raveled on horseback and arrived at his uncle's home on Christmas da^ 

ter Woodstock, Shenandoah Co., Virginia, Jan. 17, 1822. He speaks of 
his uncle in eligible circumstances and residing on a plantation and of 
aTd^Bn^ '"' "" ^'"'""' '''-■■ ^''^ ^■^-^•' ^•-<^^«' MiTerva 
flew' S^ a'"'" ''" ''''^^'"'" '" ^'"' ''^ ''''''' •^""^' ^««^ding at Edge- 
Nothing has been heard from William Campbell of Virginia, or his 
family, since his nephew took his leave of him. » > «' nis 

''The Sedgwick Papers." 

Dr. Daniel Campbell's second marriage was with Elizabeth Sed-wick 

a niece of Judge Sedgwick of Stockbridge, and whose home wa in his 

family at the old Sedgwick mansion-house. The correspondence of the 



480 The Records of Oxford. 

Sedgwick family witli IVIrs. Campbell on the death of Dr. Campbell gave 
manifestations of friendship and deep sympathy.* 
Extracts from Sedgwick Papers. 
In a letter from Miss Catharine, the daughter of Judge Sedgwick, to 
Mrs. Campbell, dated from Woodbourne, June 27, 1847, Miss Sedgwick 
writes : 

"I have lived long enough to feel the ties of iilood and early associa- 
tion strain closer over my heart than any other; and as our ranks are 
dreadfully thinned we must look aud see that the new generation do not 
fall apart. 

" Our old place at Stockbridge, my dear cousin, though it has under- 
gone some few changes to keep up with the progress of civilization 
which you know contracts flre-places and makes shrunken the ample 
dimensions of the old kitchen. 

" Blinds are before the ever-open windows of olden time, an embow- 
ered porch and bay-window now take the place of the old ' stoop ' and 
there is a general air of good taste and precise cultivation combined 
with a filial reverence ' for the place' that my sister has in a degree that 
is unusual for one who has been married into a family instead of being 
her l)irthplace. 

" My eyes, my dear cousin, have given me much trouble and I sufl'er 
from writing this, but I could not forego answering your kind letter 
and giving details of old friends." 

A letter written by Mrs. E. G. Miner, a daughter of Dr. Daniel Camp- 
bell, in October, 1861, to Miss C. M. Sedgwick and forwarded to her 
through Miss Sedgwick's friend, Hon. Josiah Quincy of Boston, Mass., 
who writes to Mrs. Miner, Nov. 6, 18G1: "I have just received yours 
of the 28th. My removal to town prevented my going to the Quincy 
post-oftice at an earlier period. 

" Miss Sedgwick is at Lenox. I have written to her and enclosed your 
letter, which I have no doubt will give her great pleasure. She is the 
sole survivor of her imhiediate family aud will derive great satisfaction 
from your sympathetic remembrance of the departed." 

''Nov. 24, 1861. 

" My Dear Cousin :— So I am happy to call you, and happy in feeling 
that you have given the value and permanency to the tie of blood which 
afl'ection can alone give it. I feel richer since I have received your let- 
ter—richer by the discovery of a treasure (not perishing). My father's 
house is occupied by the widow of my eldest brother, and that aud his 

*The Sedgwick papers were forwarded by Mrs. E. G. Miner of Canton, N. Y. 
Mrs. Miner is the daughter of Dr. Daniel Campbell, a son of Capt. William 
Campbell, born in Oxford; grandson of Rev. John Campbell. 



BiograpJiical Sketches. ^Sr 

place (every foot of which is dear-sacrecl in my eyes) is preserved in 
exact order, and embellished by the cultivated taste of my sister, and I 
may add consecrated by her virtues and hospitality. I am sittin- in the 
room in which I was born, in the room once joyous with the sound of 
many voices long since silent. The • tender grace ' of those days -one 
from me forever. It is my melancholy part to be the survivor of my 
family. I cannot forget the blessing God gave me in them, nor the 
unspeakable faith in our reunion. 

•'Your mother, my dear Mrs. Miner, was for many years a member of 
that family, and tho' she was the cotemporary of my sisters who were 
married when I was yet a child, I have a perfect recollection of those 
days, made more vivid by her repeated visits after she ceased to be a 
member of the family. It was a great satisfaction to me to hear from 
you, of her affectionate remembrance of us, of the tranquillity of her 
latter years and of the peace of her departure. 

" I trust that if you or your children ever come to Berkshire you will 
let me, if my eyes are not too dim, see you, and if they are there is vet 
that cordial grasp of the hand that has the magnetism of the heart in it 

JJ^^'i r" ""^ '"^' ^''- ^'"'' '■^'' >°«Pi""g your children with a 
kindly affection for me." 

Reminiscences of Mrs. Mary B. Campbell, Charleston, S. C. 

My Dear Celia :_The greatest difficulty, however, is the meager- 
ness of what in past times I have been able to gather of our ancestor 
I would gladly aid you, and our kind friend. Dr. Bardwell, in a research 
that had interested me from a child. The more I have examined the 
more convinced have I become that there is scarcely anything remain- 
ing that deserves to be called historic details of the first minister of 
Oxford. I am more and more inclined to think he did not intend there 
should be anything to gratify curiosity respecting his early life and the 
causes of his coming to this country. He intended the mists of oblivion 
with which increasing years enshrouds the past, should settle upon 
events that saddened his whole life. 

"I remember several intelligent persons who had received his teach- 
ings, who delighted to repeat the little traditions of his sayings and 
doings. * 

"The most profound veneration for his memory lingered about the 
scene of his ministerial labors, and I was taught to look with reverent 
afiection upon his tomb, but in all there are no answers to the questions 
one naturally asks respecting him. 

" My grandmother could give little anecdotes of his gentle but firm 
sway over his household, his constant affection to her as his daughter- 



482 The Records of Oxford. 

in-law, his tender rebuke, when once she expressed pleasure that an 
act of justice, that bore heavily upon her husband came from him and 
not her father, as he said ' Betty, have I ever failed in a father's love to 
you or my son? It was not kind to make that distinction.' 

"On one occasion he was rendered almost unfit for pulpit efl'ort by 
hearing of the boyish indiscretion and fault of one of his sons. 

" She told rae, in person he was large, not very tall, but portly, with 
a heavy brow and penetrating black eyes; his deportment was usually 
grave but cheerful." 

Of his ancestry and early years very little is known. It is the belief 
of his descendants that it was his firm purpose that they should remain 
a mystery. It is said on the best authority, that on a certain time his 
son John wished to visit Scotland to get information concerning the 
family but was decidedly opposed by his father, who refused to give 
letters when asked. " The North of Scotland " was the nearest his best 
friends could attain to a knowledge of the place of his birth. Doubtless 
he studied at the University of Edinburgh, but there is mystery even 
here, for the catalogue of that institution embraces no graduate of the 
name between 1700 and the time of his coming to America. The date 
of his arrival at Boston, given on his tombstone, was 1717. The gen- 
erally accepted opinion among his descendants was that he was a politi- 
cal refugee, having espoused the failing cause of the Stuarts in the con- 
test of 1715 — that he was a relative of Lord Loudoun who, when in 
authority in America, made an official visit to Boston and on his way 
from New York stopped at Worcester and with a single attendant made 
a friendly visit at Oxford, spending the night with Mr. Campbell and 
passing on the next day to Boston. It is said on good authority that 
Loudoun on that occasion declared his kinship with Mr. Campbell.* 
Circumstances indicate that he was educated at the Edinburgh Univer- 
sity. The sadness almost any allusion to his early life threw over him, 
had taught his family to avoid the remotest reference to it. He seemed 
to inspire all who came under his influence with awe, but with a degree 
of confiding love that forbade suspicion that his silence could come 
from any cause but the feeling that it was unmanly and unchristian to 
dwell upon crushed hopes and disappointed ambition, that could not 
stimulate to the life-work of his retirement. 

It was no secret that he loved the fallen Stuarts, and the date of his 
coming to this country renders it probable that he took a part in the 
rising of 1715, that made him too obnoxious to the House of Hanover 

*The people of the town seem to have been aware that their minister was a 
proscribed man, watched all movements with solicitude, and were prepared to 
x-esist by force any attempt at his arrest. 



Biographical Sketches. 483 

to be safe at home. He became an exile for that love, and sought hap- 
piness and usefulness by devoting hinaself to the best interests of the 
rural people in a widespread parish, to whom for many years he was 
medical and legal as well as spiritual adviser. (It was a common 
impression and very likely true, that he devoted himself to the ministry 
after his coming to this country, and with a special direction of educa- 
tion to the profession.) 

Some said Campbell was his mother's name, not his father's. Of that 
I know nothing ; and yet as a preacher he was popular. A very aged 
lady delighted to talk of his eloquence and the crowds that were wont 
to till the " new church " to listen to him. The printed vohime of his 
sermons does not give the impression of a preacher that would attract 
the young for ten or fifteen miles around, though sound in theology, I 
believe. 

When it was known Lord Loudoun was to pass through Oxford for 
the purpose of making Mr. Campbell a visit, tlie fears of the people 
were excited lest there was a secret purpose to carry him off, or in some 
way to visit upon him the displeasure of his sovereign, and they made 
preparations for his defense. Mr. Campbell assured them there was no 
ground for their fears from Lord Loudoun; that he was bound to him 
by ties of kindred and friendship too close to admit of hostile inten- 
tions. Still the people were secretly prepared, but, as the event proved, 
for no use but to show their attachment to their pastor. Lord Loudoun 
Avith a single attendant was the guest of " Squire Wolcott," Mr. Camp- 
bell's son-in-law and neighbor, and as my informant said, the damask 
curtains were put up and the room was put in state to receive the guest. 

Mr. Campbell's house stood where Mr. Hall's now stands. He could 
see what passed at the Wolcott house. He left his house " in full dress, 
his wig carefully arranged," to welcome Lord Loudoun. ... He went 
to meet him. The little stoue l^ridge between the two houses over 
which the railroad now passes was pointed out as the spot where the 
two friends embraced and wept, and held each other with that cordial 
grasp which such affection and such a life-long separation would call 
out. They supped and passed the night together uninterrupted by the 
presence of others, and the next morniug they parted. Lord Loudoun 
went to his duties. Mr. Campbell's spirits were much depressed, 
though he evidently made a great effort to rally and to continue his 
usual routine of labor cheerfully. This visit is a historical fact and 
occurred, I think, on the occasion of Lord Loudoun's visit to Boston to 
confer with the governors of the New England provinces and of Nova 
Scotia. It can be easily ascertained by referring to the papers in the 
Antiquarian rooms at Worcester. These few traditions and facts are 
all I can give you. 



484 The Records of Oxford. 

In 1757, during the month of January, a military council composed of 
Lord Loudoun and the governors of the New England provinces and of 
Nova Scotia was held at Boston. 

I remember the new church of which Mrs. Kingsbury spoke as the 
"old church,"* standing where the town-house now stands. A 
curious old sounding-board, suspended over the pulpit, excited my 
childish fears and interest not a little. 

The high square pews were surrounded by a kind of paling that 
tempted the fingers to twist them and make a squeaking noise to the 
annoyance of their elders. When the congregation rose in prayer, the 
seats turned up on hinges and were too often let fall with a most disa- 
greeable noise. Your Uncle James and I delighted in hunting bats from 
the high old pews in the gallery intended for the few negroes then held 
in Oxford as servants. 

Note. — " January 17, 1757, Lord Loudoun passed through Worcester on his 
way to Boston." He was accompanied by an escort. He arrived in Virginia, 
July, 1756, having sailed from Enghmd, May 17. Ue returned to England at 
the close of the following year. 

Lord Loudoun having served in various departments of army life in 
Scotland, previous to the year 1755, was appointed Colonel of the 60th, 
or Royal American regiment, in December of that year, which was to 
be raised in Virginia, over which province he was appointed Governor 
in 1756, where, also, he became commander-in-chief of all his Majesty's 
forces in North America. He sailed in May for America and arrived in 
July, 1750. Lord Loudoun was advanced to the position of a Lieutenant- 
General in January, 1758, and recalled to England, which gave general 
satisfaction to the colonies. 

In 1763 he was appointed Governor of Edinburgh Castle, and in April, 
1770, became Colonel of the Third Regiment of Scotch Guards, and 
General in the army. He died unmarried at Loudoun Castle, Ayrshire, 
April 27, 1782, aged eighty-seven. 

" Mr. Boswell and Dr. Johnson, Saturday, 30th October, 1773, set out 
toward Ayrshire. I sent Joseph on to Loudoun with a message, that if 
the earl was at home. Dr. Johnson and I would have the honor to dine 
with him. Joseph met us on the road and reported that the earl 
'jumped with joy,' and said, ' I shall be very happy to see them.' 

" We were received with a most pleasing courtesy by his lordship, and 
by the countess his mother, who in her ninety-fifth year had all her 
faculties quite unimpaired. This was a very cheering sight to Dr. John- 
son, who had an extraordinary desire for a long life. Her ladyship was 
sensible and well informed, and had seen a great deal of the world. 



* In 1860 the old town-house was located on the north common. 



Biographical Sketches. 485 

The lord had held several high offices, and she was sister to the great 
Earl of Stair." * 

John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, was much interested in the worli of 
the Reformation in Scotland; he had many fears that he might be on 
this account accused of treason and executed, but he died from disease 
in a most Christian manner at Edinburgh, March 15, 1652. His son. 
Sir James Campbell, who succeeded him was in sympatliy with his father 
in the Reformation. He was the father of Hugh, Earl of Loudoun, Col. 
John Campbell of Shankston and of James of Lawers. After his father's 
death he suffered much for the Reformation and was obliged to leave 
Scotland, and died an exile in Leyden. 

" Treesbank House, Kilmarnock, 16 January, 1876. 
" Madam: 

" On receipt of yours of the 23rd August, 1875, my father, Col. 
Campbell, at once wrote to me and requested me to give you any infor- 
mation in my power. Absence from home, however, not being able to 
have access to my books and other reasons quite beyond my control 
have rendered it impossible for me to answer your enquiries sooner. I 
hope that this will account for my apparent lack of courtesy. 

"The Rev'd John Campbell, to whom you refer as mentioned in 
Boswell's ' Life of Johnson,' was brother to my great-grandfather James 
Campbell of Cessnock. The said John Campbell was 'Minister' of 
Riccartown and died there in 1761. The following is an extract from 
his brother's (elder) pocketbook (in my possession) recording it: 
« Revd. Mr. John Campbell Miur of Riccartown my Broyr Died very 
suddenly of a' plethory upon yr morning early (as supposed being found 
dead in bed) of the third day of Aprile 1761 and buried upon the 6th yr 
after. Marked James Campbell.' It is a curious coincidence that he 
should have died the same year as your ancestor, but they could not 
possibly have been identical as the one never left the country and lies 
at Riccartown in the family vault. The interest attached by Dr. John- 
son to his collection of books arose merely from the fact that it was a 
large and most valuable and in those days almost unequalled one. He 
left them all to his elder brother (my direct ancestor). Many were 
afterwards destroyed by fire, but those that escaped are still in my 
father's library here. I am writing these lines in the room in which Dr. 
Johnson slept when on his way here. 

"I believe your ancestor to have been Colonel John Campbell of 
Shankston. If, however, this is the case he must have been more 
than 71 years of age at the time of his death I should suppose, and this 

*The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., by James Boswell, vol. 1, p. 454, 



486 The Records of Oxford. 

is not improbable as the family is very long lived. My reason for 
believing in this identity is the disappearance of said John Campbell 
from a family history where the minutest details of all the other mem- 
bers are chronicled. I believe he must have got into political troubles 
and have been obliged to fly the country. The visit of the Earl Loudoun 
(his nephew?), a proud aud austere man who was unlikely to have 
visited a private individual merely because his name was Campbell, 
would thus also be accouuted for. But the most cogent reason of all is 
that Sir John Campbell of Lawers (afterwards 1st Earl of Loudoun) 
had only txfjo descendants named ' John,' viz. : John 4th Earl of Loudoun 
and John Campbell of Shankston. All you write of the relations of 
Glenlyon, Lawers and Loudoun is quite correct and shows that your 
traditions are true. If your ancestor was John Campbell of Shankston 
his heirs of line can claim the E;iridom of Loudoun and all the baronies 
granted in 1633 to Sir John of Lawers, but the estates are ' proscribed,' 
i. e., having been held without challenge for upwards of 40 years the 
right of the present possessor can no longer be disputed. They are 
held by the present Earl of Loudoun of the Hastings family to wliich 
they went by the mari'iage of Flora Campbell, only child of the 6th Earl, 
to the Earl of Moira, afterwards Marquess of Hastings. If you can fol- 
low up the clue I have given you and prove the identity of your ancestor 
there can be no doubt of the claim of his heirs of line, for although your 
ancestor dying before John, 4th Earl, could of course, never have claimed 
the titles and estates, and having no exact account of who he was, his 
descendants never did so when the succession opened to them. Yet the 
fact remains that they must succeed before the heirs of their ancestor's 
younger brother. I thiuk you will understand it by referring to the 
annexed pedigrees. 

"My father is the representative of the original house of Loudoun, 
for although the estate went to the granddaughter of the first baron by 
marriage to Sir John of Lawers yet tlie chieftainship of the house 
remained with the heir male of the family, the first baron's cousin, Sir 
Hugh Campbell of Cessnock, my direct ancestor. All branches acknowl- 
edge my father as chief of the House of Loudoun, as you will find by 
referring to Burke's ' Armory County Families' aud ' Robertson's History 
of Ayrshire,' wherein he is styled 'Chief of the Campbells of Loudoun 
and Cessnock.' I annex pedigrees and will be very glad to hear that 
this reaches you in safety. A century ago there seems to have been no 
stigma attaching to illegitimate branches of great houses (in many cases 
peerages being granted to them), so you will have thoroughly to sift all 
the evidence. The House of Loudoun has several branches of this kind 
here possessing large estates. You will understand. Madam, that I find 



Biog'7-aphical Sketches. 4S7 

it necessary to caution you on this point, disagreeable tliough it is to 
me to do so. I am, Madam, 

" Your obedient servant, 

" W. H. CAMPBELL, Captain." 
" Mrs. M. de "W. Fkeeland." 

PEDIGREES. 

In 1620 Sir John Campbell of Lawers, eldest sou and heir of Sir James 
Campbell of Lawers, married Margaret Campbell, co-heiress of Hugh, 
1st Baron Campbell of Loudoun. They had (with daughters) two sons, 
James, who succeeded, and George died unmarried. 

James, 2nd Earl (his father having been created Earl of Loudoun, 
Baron Faryman, etc., in 1633), married Lady Margaret Moutgomery. 
They had three sons: 1st, Hugh, who succeeded; 2nd, Col. John of 
Shankston; 3rd, James, afterward Sir, and to whom his father left the 
estate of Lawers. 

Hugh, 3rd Earl, married Lady Margaret Dalrymple and died in 1731. 
They had one son, John, who succeeded (and two daughters). 

John, 4rth Earl, a distinguished military commander. [Visited Rev. 
John Campbell at Oxford]. He died unmarried in 1782, when his estate 
and titles devolved upon James Mure Cauipbell (sou of his Uncle Sir 
James). He succeeded as 5th Earl and had an only child. Flora, who 
took the estates by marriage into the "Hastings Family," where they 
still remain. 

A Letter from the Duke of Argyll. 

A letter from the Duke of Argyle to Dudley M. Campbell, Esq., of 
Oneonta, N. Y., in respect to the lineage of Rev. John Campbell : 

"Oneonta, Oct. 4, 1890. 
" Mrs. Freeland : 

" Regarding the Duke of Argyll's letter, I received a very 
kind reply. It was written in the Isle of Skye, where he was on a 
yachting cruise. Among the things he says regarding such a work as 
yours, ' I am always glad to hear of such steps being taken, especially 
at this time. When cadets or younger sons of our elder families went 
to the colonies in the last century little record was kept of them here, 
and they generally keiU hut little record of themselves: 

"He closed by saying that 'Douglas' Peerage of Scotland' is an 
authority and a work full of historic interest. He says the family 
traditions which you have are undoubtedly true." 

According to Sir Robert Douglas this family of Campbell descends 
from Sir Duncan Campbell, Lord of Lochow, progenitor of the Dukes 



48S The Records of Oxford. 

of Argyll. Sir Duncan of Lochow was the first of his family who 
assumed the title of Argyll. He left two sons, the younger of whom 
was Sir Colin of Glenorchy, created 2nd Lord Campbell and Earl of 
Argyll by James II. in 1453. 

Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy was ancestor of the house of Bred- 
albane in Perthshire. 

Note. " In the twelvth century Sir Gillespick le Camile, a Norman knight, 
accompanied William the Conqueror to England and made his way north and 
wedded Eva, heiress of Macaillan or MacCallum More, the representative of a 
long line of Highland chieftaius who owned Lochow and other fair spots in 
the western Highlands. The next in direct descent from Gillespick was his 
son Duncan, who attained the title of Lord Campbell, which form the old 
Norman name Camile, pronounced by the Scotch lowlanders ' Cavvmil,' had by 
that time assumed, and his grandson Colin was created Earl of Argyll in 1457. 
Fifty-four years afterwards his son Archibald was killed at Flodden's fatal 
field, 

" ' Where shiver'd was fair Scotland's spear, 
And broken was her shield.' 

" Gillespick Campbell of Norman descent, Lord of Lochow, Sir Colin, a chief 
of considerable prowess, termed ' More,' i. e.. great, was knighted in 12S0. He 
had five sons, the second, Sir Donald, ancestor of the Earls of Loudoun, and 
the eldest, Sir Niel of Lochow, a staunch adherent of King llobert Bruce, and 
after the battle of Bannockburn he was a commissioner to negotiate a peace 
with the English. He was one of the great barons of parliament that met at 
Ayr, April, 1315, to determine the successor to the crown of Scotland." 

Rev. John Campbell appears to have allied to the Lochnell branch of Camp- 
bell. Archibald Campbell of Lochnell, known as Laird of Lochuell, 11th in 
descent, is descended from Alexander Campbell, who was a son of Hon. John 
Campbell, who was 2d son of Colin, 3d duke of Argyll, who married Lady 
Jane Gordon, daughter of Alexander, 3d Earl of Huntley and Duke of Gordon. 
The name of Alexander is now first used in Campbell ancestry. Coat of arms 
of Lochnell : Boarshead coupcd with Gordon, supporters Lion and Swan. 

Jura Branch of Campbell. 

The Campbells of Jura are a junior branch of Lochuell, descended from 
Duncan Campbell, 2nd son of Alexander. Duncan Campbell was grandson of 
Hon. John Campbell, 2nd son of Colin, 3d duke of Argyll. 

The Campbells of Jura are heritable keepers of Craignish Castle, a view of 
which is seen by tourists off the coast of Scotland. The coat of arms the same 
as Lochnell. 

John Cameron of Lochiel, Inverness Co., he is called John McEwen, 
joined Earl Marr 1715, for which he sufi'ered attainder and forfeiture. He 
married Isabella, the sister of Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell. Archibald, 
his son, joined in the Rebellion of 1745 and was executed. 

The above Duncan had three sons, John his successor, Archibald and Alex- 
ander who died unmarried. Above Duncan born in 159G, died 1695. John 



Biographical Sketches. ^gn 

married 1st a daughter of Donald Campbell, 2nd, Mary, daughter of Hector 
McLean. The McLeans were in the Rebellion of 1715, John his son by last 
marriage married his cousin, the daughter of Colin Campbell of Lochnell, by 
whom he had an only son Archibald. The father, John, died 173G, a<^ed 95 
years. Archibald died in 1764. He had four sous, Duncan, Archibald, who 
succeeded him, Alexander and John Cameron. 

The present Duke of Argyll failing of lineal heirs, John of Lochnell branch 
of Campbell is his successor to titles and entailed estates. 

Branch of Glenlyon Campbell. 

Archibald Campbell, 2nd son of Sir Duncan Campbell, of Glenorchy the 
ancestor to the house of Bredalbane, was of Glenlyon, and from him Camp- 
bells of Glenlyon are descended. The Campbells of Glenlyon failinc^ of a male 
heir the estate was in female line, a daughter married Peter Garden" who took 
the name of Garden Campbell. The history of the family may be found under 
the name of Gordon. The Campbell's of Glenlyon were noted in the Rebellion 
of 1715.— Russell's Modern Europe. 

The Campbells of Glendawrl were distinguished in the Rebellion of 1745 
Dr. Archibald Campbell of the house of Glenlyon was executed for treason' 
The Campbells of Kinlock, Perthshire, were descended from John Campbell' 
3d son of Alexander Campbell from Hon. John Campbell, 2nd son of Colin' 
3d Duke of Argyll. Taymouth Castle in Perthshire is held by Earl of Bred' 
albane. 

Lillet. 

" Dr. Ebenezer, son of John and Abigail, of Dudley, b. 25 Au'^ 1734 
studied with Dr. Alexander Campbell. [In Nov., 1767, Dr. Campbell 
brought a suit against him, he being then of Dudley, declaring that 
' for three years previous to 1 April, last, he boarded the defendant and 
taught him the profession, art and practice of medicine,' etc.] He m 
(1) 12 Nov., 1762, Abigail Morris of Dudley, resided at Woodstock in 
1784 and 1790, came when past middle age to Oxford, having bou<-ht 
in 1799 a bouse near the North Common." * 

Dr. Lilley was esteemed a skillful physician, but he mostly devoted 
himself to his estate. In the olden time his ancient house, frontin- 
on the county road, was very noticeable, being separated by an 
orchard, which added to its attractions. Mrs. Lilley died Dec. 9, 1806. 
Dr. Lilley removed to the southern part of Oxford and died 1812. Of 
modern date it was the home of the late Dr. Holman. 

"Theophilus, merchant of Boston, bought in 1770 the Moore estate 
formerly Hagburn's, on the east side of the main street, where he was 
a trader, exceptionally entitled ' Mr.' on the tax list, sold in 1772 soon 
returned to Boston. In 1774 he bought a farm in Brookfleld. In'court 
at Worcester, Sept., 1781, a complaint was made against him as an 
' absentee,' that he had fled to Halifax and adhered to the King of 



490 The Records of Oxfoi'd. 

Great Britain, etc., and the fact stated that he had died at Halifax 
on the previous first day of Jan., owning said farm at Brookfleld and 
shop for merchandise. The charges were sustained and said property 
confiscated to the State. August term of court, 1790, at Worcester, 
John Lillie of Boston, administrator of estate of Theophilus, late of 
Boston, had a case. In Dec, 1790, his widow Anne, of Halifax, execu- 
trix of his will, had also a case in court." 

Mary, daughter of David and Mary (Stockwell) Lilley, was married 
Sept. 27, 1831, to B. Franklin, son of Maj. Archibald Campbell of 
Oxford, in ancestry from Duncan Campbell, Esq., of Oxford, son of 
Rev. John Campbell of Scotland. — See Campbell ancestry. 

David ^ [David, 2 David'], of Sutton, b. Oct. 17, 1773, m. June 10, 
1795, Mary, daughter of Araos and Phobe (Wright) Stockwell of Sutton. 
It is said Mr. Lilley was a gentleman of more than ordinary endow- 
ments of mind and of superior personal appearance. At one period of 
his life he was associated with the late James Freeland of Sutton in 
commerce with Canada. Mr. Freeland chartered vessels and crews on 
the St. Lawrence river for transportation with very favorable success. 
Mr. Lilley resided on the estate that in 1801 he received from his father, 
which included a large tract of land, once the estate of Samuel Davis of 
Roxbury, who had purchased a part of this French plantation of Gabriel 
Bernon in Oxford. Mr. Lilley's estate was wholly in the Beruon pur- 
chase. He died Jan. 10, 1815, aged 41. Mrs. Mary (Stockwell) Lilley 
died in Boston, Sept. 9, 1862. A lady much respected by her friends 
and the community in which she resided. 

David Lilley (2) m. Sept. 23, 17G2, Elizabeth, born Jan. 11, 1745, dau. 
of John and Abbie (Chase) Gibbs. Mrs. Elizabeth (Gibbs) Lilley lived 
to a very advanced age. The residence of Mr. John Gibbs in Sutton 
was an ancient house on the Worcester road near Major Daniel Tenney's 
estate, it continued to be known for very many years as the Gibbs house. 

Joseph Sibley married 16 April, 1761, Abbie, daughter of John and 
Abbie (Chase) Gibbs, who was born Oct. 24, 1742. Gibbs, a son of 
Joseph Sibley, married Hannah, daughter of Asahel and Mary (Brownell) 
Rice. Tradition states the daughters of the Gibbs family were very 
beautiful. Martha, a daughter, born in 1791, was placed at Miss 
Thayer's boarding-school in Oxford, .Miss Thayer being a celebrated 
educator of young ladies — she married Charles Sabin. 

Jane Walton, born in March, 1810, married Sir Curtis Miranda Lamp- 
son, Bart., a son of Mr. Wm. Lampson of New Haven, Vermont. They 
were married in 1827 in New York, to which place Mr. Gibbs Sibley had 
removed. In 1866, when the Atlantic Cable was completed, Sir Curtis 
was offered and accepted a baronetcy in acknowledgment of his great 
service in that enterprise through to completion. 



Biogj'apJiical Sketches. ^ 491 

Sir Curtis Lampson has two sons and two daughters, one of the lat- 
ter, a lady of culture, was married to Mr. Frederic Locliyer, a well 
known English gentleman of letters and of the world, whose "Vers de 
Society" have been republished in this country. Mr. Lockyer is also a 
writer of prose, as a contributor to Blackwood's Magazine and other 
English literature. Sir Curtis and Lady Lampson have a seat at Raw- 
fant in Sussex, England. He is a naturalized British subject. — iVew 
York World, History of Sutton. 

David Lilley (1) of Sutton, m. May 25, 1736, Anna, dau. of Daniel and 
Sarah (March) Chase. Anna was born at Newbury, Nov. 13, 1713. 
Daniel Chase of Newbury became a resident of Sutton, the dale of which 
cannot be ascertained, married Sarah, a daughter of Geo. March, March 
26, 1733. He resided at Pleasant Falls. Mr. Chase's mill is in the town 
records as the first mill at the Falls. This settlement in the town appears 
to have been a part of his father's estate at Pleasant Falls, and that he 
was "a proprietor to one-half of the mill and privilege of y water," etc. 
"This was the farm, mill and privilege of Pleasant Falls." A most 
beautiful residence with lovely views which added to its quiet scenery. 
In Dec, 1740, Samuel Chase and other gentlemen purchased of Benja- 
min Cowing a tract on Half-Way river "with y privilege of y« river for 
building dams and flowing as they shall see fit." This was " y« water 
privilege" at the Amory Village in Sutton, now Millbury, and its first 
occupancy. 

Samuel Chase continued in Sutton till the close of the war with 
France. In 1776 or 1777 Daniel Chase and his son Samuel and grandson 
Dudley became almost exclusive proprietors of the town of Cornish on 
the Connecticut river, New Hampshire. Samuel Chase married Mary 
Dudley. lie was commissioned as a magistrate and was "judge of y 
court for y" County of Cheshire." He died at a very advanced age. A 
part of Dudley's family were born at Cornish. Dr. Hall of Sutton 
states that in August, 1768, Dudley Chase received a letter from the 
church in Sutton to the church in Cornish. His family was distin- 
guished. Salmon became a lawyer in Portland, Me.; Baruch became 
captain, lawyer and judge; Dudley a lawyer and IT. S. Senator; 
Philander a bishop of the Episcopal Church in the State of Ohio. 

Sternes. 

Isaac Sternes came to America it is said with Gov. Winthrop and Sir Richard 
Saltonstall in 1680, and became a resident of Watertown, Mass., near Mount 
Auburn. He came from the parish of Nayland iu Suffolk, England. 

Capt. Thomas Sternes of Worcester was the son of John and Judith Sternes 
and the grandson of Charles Sternes, 1654, of Watertown, Mass., who married 
Rebecca, daughter of John and Rebecca Gibson of Cambridge. Thomas, the 



492 The Records of Oxford. 

son of John Sternes, was baptized May 11, 1701. Isaac Sternes of Watertown 
calls Charles Sternes his kinsman and leaves him a legacy. 

Captain Thomas Sternes was the executor of the will of his father-in- 
law, Hon. William Jennison. In his own will, dated Feb. 20, 1770, he 
mentions his wife Mary, his sons William and Thomas, daughters 
Eunice, Abigail Fullerton, Sarah Warland, Lucy Hubbard, Mary Ray- 
mond, Lydia Campbell and Martha Stevens. 

William, son of Thomas Sternes, married Sarah Adams. 

Capt. Thomas Sterns of Watertown m. Sarah . Children : Sarah 

m. Warland; Lucy m. Elisha Hubbard of Hatfield. In a second mar- 
riage, Dec. 29, 1729, Mary, daughter of Hon. William Jennison of 
Worcester. Children : Elizabeth, m. January, 1749, Duncan Campbell, 
Esq., of Oxford; Mary m. Edward Raymond, resided in Oxford; Lydia 
m. Dr. Alexander Campbell of Oxford; Abigail d. April, 1746; Samuel; 
Martha m. 1761, Capt. Simon Stevens of Charlestown, N. H. ; Abigail 
m. Nov., 1766, Nathan Fullerton, the son of Captain Edward Fullertou 
of Boston, Mass. In a second marriage, July, 1781, Captain John 
Stowers, son of Richard Stowers of Maiden, Mass. Eunice, b. 1750, m. 

FoUansbee. She was remarried to General Samuel McClcllan of 

Woodstock, Ct. 

In October, 1728, a grant of land in Worcester was made to Thos. 
Sterne. 

In 1732 an additional grant was made to him of " 3 tens acres of land." 

From an old record: "Thomas Sternes be one of a Com'«« to Con- 
sider upon y Petition of Dan' Gookin Esq', and view y° undivided land 
in the south part to se when the said Petitioners can be accomodated 
with a building place and return to the next meeting." 

Arms of the Sterne family. Or, a chevi'on between three crosses flory 
sable. Crest, a cock starling proper. This ancient coat of arms formerly 
belonged to the Sterne family when residents of the old Sterne mansion 
at Watertown. It is the same as that borne by families of the name of 
Sterne in the counties of Bucks, Cambridge, Hertford and Suffolk, 
England, and also by Richard Sterne, Archbishop of York, descended 
from the Sterne family of Nottinghamshire. 

Capt. Sterne's landed estate in Worcester was situated on Main and 
Elm streets, including land lying westerly of Main street, known as 
recently the estate of Gov. Lincoln, where he had erected an antique, 
rich mansion on the site of what is now known as the Lincoln House. 
In olden time this house of the Sterne family was known as the " King's 
Arms Tavern." As early as 1732 this tavern was kept by Capt. Thomas 
Sterne, and after his death, in 1772, by his widow, Mary Sterne, who 
remained there till her death, in 1784. Before the Declaration of lude- 



Biographical Sketches. 493 

pendence was passed it was the resort of loyalists of the town, and the 
place where they prepared and signed the famous protest of 1774. July 
22, 1776, a select company of the inhabitants of Worcester repaired to 
this tavern and demanded the sign on which was emblazoned the royal 
arms should be talien down and burned in the street, all of which the 
proprietor cheerfully complied with. In 1786 the " Sun Tavern," near 
Elm street, where the Lincoln House now stands, and was kept by Capt. 
John Stowers. Before the Revolution it was called the King's Arms. 
Capt. Stowers had married Mrs. Abigail FuUerton, a widow lady, the 
daughter of Capt. Thomas Sterne. 

Inscription on a tombstone in the cemetery on Worcester Common : 

" Capt. Thomas Sterne; died Jan. 16, 1772, aged 76 years." 

His epitaph : 

"The grave is mine house. I have made my bed in the darkness. I 
have said — Corruption, thou art my father — to the worm, thou art my 
mother and sister. Job xvii. 13, 14." 

Epitaph : 

" Mary Sterne, wife of Capt. Thomas Sterne, died July 19, 1784, aged 
77 yrs." 

Epitaph : 

"Beneath this stone Death's prisoner lies, 
The stone shall move, the prisoner rise, 
When Jesus with Almighty word. 
Calls his dead saints to meet their Lord." 

Cemetery on Worcester Common. Epitaph : 

Mrs. Martha Stevens. 
" Let the green leaf press gently o'er her dust, 
There rest in hope till Christ shall bid it rise 
At the great resurrection of the just 
To meet the Saviour from the opening skies." 

Abigail, b. Oct., 1747; m. Nov. 17, 1766, Nathan FuUerton, the son of 
Captain Edward FuUerton of Boston, Mass. Nathan FuUerton d. Feb., 
1776. Children, b. in Worcester: Edward, b. Sept., 1767; Thomas 
Sterne, b. August, 1770; Nathaniel, b. Sept., 1775. The last named 
resided in Chester, Vt. ; lived to an advanced age ; in 1870 he was the 
president of the bank at Bellows Falls at 95 years of age. Eunice, b. 

1750, m. when quite young FoUausbee of Worcester. Child : one 

daughter, Mary, who died aged 2 years. In a second marriage to 
General Samuel McClellan of Woodstock, Ct. Mrs. McClellan died at 
Putney, Vt., Nov. 7, 1839, aged 89 years. A portrait of Mrs. McClellan 
and little Mary Follansbee is still retained by her family friends. It is 
said to have been painted by Copley. It is a most beautifal picture of 3, 



494 The Records of Oxford. 

beautiful woman. The portrait is two-thirds in length, life size. Mrs. 
McClellan is dressed in rose colored brocaded silk with sundry little 
loops of black velvet ribbon, her lovely brown hair is profusely pow- 
dered, and a soft, fairy-like white lace veil shadows her figure; little 
Mary is clasped in her arms, dressed in white, but her face is hidden 
from view, for Mary had died, and the mother, being inconsolable, 
endeavored to assuage her grief by having the picture taken in niemo- 
rlara of her child. In all her travels the picture was her companion, 
with two immense travelling trunks, painted black, very long and nar- 
row, filled with linen, composed her luggage, with a case lined with 
velvet containing her silver plate. One of the travelling trunks a few 
years since was lodged in the garret of her residence in Putney, as well 
preserved as when laid aside by her housekeeper, for rummaging was in 
those days forbidden to children. Her parlor for many years after her 
death retained its rich, high-backed chairs and stately old mirror, with 
various other articles of antique furniture. 

Nathaniel FuUerton d. in Worcester, Feb. 16, 1777, aged 38 years. 
Below the inscription on his tombstone is the name of " Mary Raymond." 
Nathaniel may have been the brother of Nathan Fullerton. Mrs. x\bigail 
(Sterne) Fullerton in a second marriage, July 20, 1781, to Captain John 
Stowers, son of Richard Stowers of Maiden, Mass. Captain John 
Stowers died in Putney, Vt., 1821, aged 71 years. Mrs. Stowers died 
Feb., 1832, aged 80 years. Mary, daughter of Capt. John and Abigail 

Stowers, born Feb. 7, 1793, married Mr. Ryan, residence, the 

ancient house of Mrs. McClellan. 

Hon. William Jennison. 

Hon. William Jennison of Worcester was the son of Ensign Samuel 
and Judith (Macomber) Jennison of Watertown. Mr. Jennison died in 
1701, and a grandson of Robert Jennison, who was a native of Col- 
chester, England, and died in Watertown in 1690. Hon. William Jenni- 
son was a resident of Sudbury, married Oct., 1673, Elizabeth, daughter 
of Peter Gouldiug, Esq., of Boston, subsequently of Worcester and 
Sudbury. Children: one son and five daughters. Mary, daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Goulding) Jennison, married Capt. Thomas 
Sterne of Worcester. Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Thomas Sterne of 
Worcester, was married to Duncan Campbell, E^^q., of Oxford. Lydia, 
daughter of Capt. Thomas Sterne, was married to Dr. Alexander Camp- 
bell of Oxford. Mary, daughter of Capt. Thomas Sterne, married 
Edward Raymond of Oxford. 

In 1732, at the August term of the court of General Sessions of the 
Peace, measures were taken for the erection of a court-house in Worces- 
ter. Judge Jennison gave the land for the site of the court-house, and 



BiograpJncal Sketches. 405 

the first court-house was erected in 1733 near the site of one of the 
present court-houses. The location has ever been styled " Court Hill," 
and if any other use were made of the land the title should revert to his 
heirs. An old record states, one item : "To keep the brush cut leadino- 
on Court House Hill." ■ " 

Judjre Jennison's residence was near the court-house in Worcester. 
His landed estate being in this part of the town, his ancient house was 
located nearly on the site of the present residence of Hon. J. Wolcott 
Wetherell. Judge Jennison was one of the first judges of the " Court 
of Common Pleas " in Worcester. This court was a county court and 
was composed of four judges appointed by King George I. 

Epitaphs from the cemetery on Worcester Common. Inscription on 
the tombstone of William Jennison, his epitaph reads as follows : 

" Here lies buried y^' body of William Jenison, Esq'. He was born at 
Watertown, April y" 17"', 1676, who died Sep'"' y- lO^i., 1741, in ye 66 
year of his age. 

" He was one of y« Judges of r Inferiour Court for y« county of 
Worcester." 

Epitaph: "Elizabeth Jenison wife of William Jenison, Esqr. died 
December 2, 1756, aged 86 years." 

Note. This burying-ground was formerly at the east end of the Common 
and in use from 1730 to 1795. 

In the first settlement of Watertown were the two brothers William and 
Robert Jenison (by later usage written Jennison) . The prefix of " Mr " wis 
placed to the name of William Jenison. He was a member of the Artillery 
Co. in 1637 and also a captain of the " Train baud." 

It appears by Winthrop Capt. Jenison had been a resident of Bermuda. For 
a view of the character and worth of Capt. Jenisou see Winthrop ii., 176. 

About 1645 Capt. Jenison returned to England. In his will Robert Jenison 
of Watertown mentions son Samuel and his grandsons William and Robert. 
His brother is styled William Jenison of Colchester, Co. Essex, Old Eno-l-uid' 
in 1657 by his brother Robert. " ' 

William Jenison, when a resident of Watertown, in 1636 commanded one of 
the companies to avenge the murder of Mr. John Oldham by the Penuot 
Indians of Block Island. 

Thoresby, in his Diary, speaks of Sir Ralph Jennison of Newcastle, in 1681 
and of Walworth Hall, " a delicate seat of the Jeunisons," near Peirce Brid-e' 

The niece and heiress of Sir Matthew Jennison married Sir Samnel Gorden' 
who was created a baronet in 1764. ' 

The following is an extract from a Historv printed in London, 1682 • " We 
must not forget how Mr. Thomas Jennison, a Jesuite, and then in New-ite 
(though dead since), endeavored to frighten his brother, Mr. Robert Jennison 
for prosecuting his discovery by charging him in a letter he wrote to him' 
with the blood of an innocent man, and a kinsman." 



496 The Records of Oxford. 

This Robert Jennison it appears was a Gentleman of " Gray's Inn," who 
bore testimony in 1(578 in concurrence to the existence of a plot to murder 
King Charles II., set fire to London and elevate the Duke of York to the 
throne. 

Thomas Ward in the sixteenth century published a poem entitled, " Eng- 
land's Reformation," recounting the persecutions, as he regarded them, suf- 
fered by the Catholics and the secularization of the abbeys and other religious 
houses under Henry VIII. In this connection he says, " The learned abbot 
Farringdon, and Commissary Peterson, John Beck, abbot of Colchester, and 
Jennison renowned in war, were put to death," etc. This last gentleman he 
adds " was a Knight of Malta." 

GOULBING. 

The name of Goulding occurs frequently in the annals of the colonies, 
and is not without some distinction in English history. " The death of 
Captain Goulding, commander of the ship Diamond, on board which he 
was killed April 10th, 1665, in a victorious engagement with the Dutch, 
qualified the joy felt at the victory in the frivolous court of Charles the 
Second." 

" Capt. Roger Goulding of Rhode Island, master of a vessel, rendered 
such eminent services in Philip's war as to receive recognition and sub- 
stantial reward from the authorities of Plymouth Colony." 

Coat of arms of the Goulding family : Az, a cross voided betw. four 
lions pass-qu. Crest, A lion sejant sa supporting with the dexter foot 
an escutcheon or. North, New her bar, Co. Kent, confirmed 1772. 

Peter Goulding, Esq. 

Peter Goulding, Esq., came from Eugland and resided in Boston in 
1665. "He acted as an attorney in the court of sessions. He was 
prosecuted and fined for charges that he had divulged against the court 
and clerk of Suflblk County." The occurrence not improbably disgusted 
him into a resolve to remove from Boston. He subsequently resided in 
Sudbury and Worcester. In 1G94, when the settlement of Worcester 
was abandoned, he removed to Sudbury and died in 1703. 

Elizabeth, a daughter of Peter Goulding, was married to Judge 
William Jennison of Worcester. 

From a record: "This lot Resigned by Crane and Satisfaction given 
him and is now granted to peter Golding of Boston." This grant of 
land resigned by Benjamin Crane to Peter Goulding was made in 1675. 
Peter Goulding besides his town right, which he had purchased of 
Thomas Hall, he owned 3,020 acres in Hassanaraesit, now Grafton. 

From Records of the Proprietors of Worcester. In 1665 the General Court 
ortlered that a committee should explore the country and report concerning 
the advantages for a settlement. May 15, 1067, a new committee was appointed. 



biographical Sketches. 497 

"A place about 10 miles westward of Marlborrow . . . called Qiiandsicamond 
ponds aud to make rreport ... if the place was capable to make a [plaot] 
ation." Answer was returned October, 1G6S. " For a plantation Quansika- 
mud now called wocester." " lieiug uearre midway beetwene Boston and 
Spriugfeild about one [daysj ioyruy from either." In 1668 the Court directed 
" That due carre be taken by the Said comittee, that a good ministerr [of] God's 
word be placed therre, as Soone as may bee, that Such people [as may] tlierre 
bee planted may not Hue like lambs in a large place." It was not until the 
year 1673 that the proprietors effected a settlement. The claim of the Indians 
was now to be settled. A tract of laud eight miles square was to be purchased 
of the Indians, the consideration being twelve pounds lawful money. The 
deed bears date July 13, 1GT4. " That land for a cittadel of about half a mile 
Square Shal be layd out on the fort River for house lotts to those who shall at 
their (thir) first Setliug build & dwel thcron aud make it their certyne place of 
abode for their families : to the end the inhabitants may Settle in a way of 
defence as inioyued by law. Boston Aprill 24 1684. By the Committee for 
the plantation of QuansicUamon [worsterr]." 

In 1686, " Granted & laid to Peter Goulding of . . . Six planting lotts 
c[ontaining] ten accers each lot; scituate & lying in the village [Worcester] 
attbrsaid : rist one of the Said lotts being ten acers . . . the otherr five being 
fifty [acres] formerly granted ... of medow also 5 accers of land for a 
pasture lot lying [near] his house lot in the cittadel And also his due propor- 
tion [of lands] for farme lotts in the Said plantation." In 1694 this settlement 
of Worcester was abandoned. 

The city of Worcester is thus described as a village called Quonsigamog in 
the middle way between Marlborough and Quaboag, Brookfield [frontier 
towns] , consisting of about six or seven houses. 

The natives who inhabited Quinsigamoud (now Worcester) were of the 
Nipmuck tribe. The principal settlement of these Indians was on a hill in the 
south part of the town, extending into Auburn, and called by them Bocachoag 
or Pakachoag. Sagamore John's wigwam stood on the borders of a lake, the 
site of which is still pointed out in Ward (now Auburn). Wigwam Hill on 
the eastern shore of Quinsigamoud was a favorite resort of the Indians on 
account of wild game and fish abounding in this vicinity. 

Kecords of Worcester : " Worcester ffeb 7 1714 By order of Hon<i 
Comitte «& persuant to a Grant ; laid out to the Heirs of Peter Goulding 
and renewed the bounds of five Ten acre Lotts in Worcester near Quin- 
sicaraag pond bounded & . . . " 

la 1714 there was granted "to Peter and Palmer Goldin 5-10 acre 
lotts." 

1733, " that the remainder of the third Division Due to Mr. Petter 
Goukliug's right be recorded." 

Goulding is an English name and pronounced Goulding in distinction 
from Golding, a name common to the Celtic Irish. It was originally 
local, and borrowed from Goulding on the borders of Wales, 



49^ The Records of Oxford. 

" Peter Goulding, Esqr. and his son Captain Palmer Goulding were 
gentlemen of strong character, and evidently held a conspicuous posi- 
tion in the communities in which they lived." 

Inscription from the cemetery on Worcester Common: " In memory 
of Capt. Palmer Goulding Senior who died at Holden Feb'ry y« 11"' A. 
D. 1770 in y 75 year of his age. 

" He commanded a Company at y Reduction of Louisburg June y 17 
A. D. 1745." 

Aijigail Goulding, wife of Capt. Palmer Goulding, died at Holden, 
1770. 

TOWNE. 

Braceby, England, Records: In the church of St. Nicholas, founded 
in 1123 (in 1251 dedicated to St. Nicholas), were married, March 25, 
1620, William Towne and Joanna Blessing, and in this churcli their first 
six children were baptized. Ann, the widow of Richard Towne of 
Braceby and the mother of William, in her last will, beai'ing date 
Decembe"^ 10, 1629, directs " my bodye to be buried in y raeaue time in 
y Chapell of Bracebie aforesaid." 

Braceby, Lincoln Co., England, is situated 120 miles northeast from London. 
" A greate store of Seafariuge men resorted thither but especiallie the fisher- 
men of this Land and also greate nombers of the Fishermen of Frauuce, 
Flauuders and of Holland Zealande and all the lowe Countryes and in the 
tyme [1087] of the Reigne of Kynge William Rufus Kinge of the Realme one 
Herbertus Bishopp of the See of Norwich perceyvenge greate resorte and con- 
course of people to be daylie and yearlie upon the said Laude and iutendinge 
to provide for their sowles healtbe did founde and buyldu upon the Laude a 
certen Chappell for the devotion of the people resorting thither and therein did 
place a Chappel ayue of his owne." 

The name of Towne is not common. In the reign of Henry IV. upon 
the windows in the church in Kennington, Kent Co., impaled with that 
of Ellis of the same place is the name of Towne. 

The coat of arms of a branch of the Towne family being : Argent, on 
a chevron, sable three cross crosslets, ermine. 

Thomas Towne, who possessed much land about Charing and who 
bore the same coat of arms, by his marriage inherited a manor which 
he named Towne's Place. 

The name of Towne is found as early in English records as A. D. 
1274, viz. : William de la Toune of Alvely a village in Shropshire about 
twenty miles southeast from Shrewsbury. William de la Towne is sup- 
posed to have accompanied Prince Edward on his return from the Holy 
Land, or on his arrival at Sicily to England in 1272. 

William Towne, a son of Richard and Ann Towne, born in Braceby, 
England, and his family came to New England in the year 1637. They 



Biographical Sketches. 499 

resided first at Northfleld and Salem. In 1652 William Towne pur- 
chased a tract of land in Topsfleld, Mass., and removed to that place. 
Children: John, Susanna, Edmund, Jacob, Mary, Sarah and Joseph are 
named as the children of William Towne. 

Edmund Towne, born in England, accompanied his parents to this 
country when he was eighteen years of age, he became a resident of 
Topsfleld and was married to Mary, a daughter of Thomas Browning. 
He died in 1678. Edmund Towne was one of a committee from the 
town of Topsfleld who in 1675 presented a petition to the General Court 
for leave to form a military company to protect the inhabitants while at 
work during Philips War. 

Jacob, a son of William and a brother of Edmund Towne, married, 
June 20, 1657, Catharine, a daughter of John Symonds of Salem. John, 
the son of Jacob and Catharine Towne, born 1658, was married to Mary 
Smith in 1700. He removed to Framingham, Mass. ; while a resident 
of that place he occupied positions of honor in the a3"airs of the town 
from 1700 to 1712; in 1708 he had resided at Charlestown; in 1713 he 
became a proprietor in the plantation of Oxford. 

Jonathan and Ephraim, sons of John Towne, were the proprietors of 
a plantation in Oxford on the west side of the Worcester road opposite 
the old North Common. In 1731 Jonathan received a deed of his father's 
plantation. Jacob, son of Jonathan by his first marriage, was born 
Oct., 1720, was married in June, 1743, to Mary, daughter of Kev. John 
Campbell. He resided on Rocky Hill [Mount Pleasant], north of the 
old Charlton road. He was a soldier in the French W^ar, enlisting at 
Sutton, 1755, and died at Fort Edward, Oct. 18, 1755, and was buried in 
the woods by his brother Josiah. 

Jacob Towne in 1742 purchased this estate of 60 acres of land of 
Richard and Martha (Papillon) Williams, it was bounded east on a town 
road over Rocky Hill. The road was accepted from Jacob Towne's into 
the old Charlton road north of Towne's Pond. The house on this estate 
was on the east side, fronting on the road over Rocky Hill. 

Jacob, son of Jacob and Mary (Campbell) Town, born Oct. 20, 1755. 

October 25, 1746, the date of the birth of Salem, the son of Jacob and 
Mary (Campbell) Towne of Oxford, a messenger was despatched to 
announce his birth to Rev. John Campbell, while the workmen were 
engaged in erecting the walls of the new church on the North Common. 
Mr. Campbell at once informed the people assembled that his grandson 
should receive the name of Salem, as an omen of peace. 

Hon. Salem Towne of Charlton married Elizabeth, daughter of John 
Mayo of Oxford, July, 1771. She died March, 1772. Gen. Salem Towne 
was a so'dier, a quartermaster in the Revolutionary War, Major-General 



500 The Records of Oxford. 

of militia, a gentleman who was for many years distinguished in Charl- 
ton and in the county. He was remarried to Ruth, daughter of Richard 
Moore, Jr., of Oxford, 1774. She died Sept. 7, 1790. He died July 22, 
1825. Children: Mary, b. Nov., 1774, m. William Weld; Ruth m. 
March, 1777, Aaron Wheelock, in a second marriage Ebenezer Phillips, 
M.D.; Elizabeth, b. Sept., 1778, ra. Wm. Ryder; Salem, b. March, 1780, 
m. Sally, dau. of Gen. John Spurr of Charlton; Pamelia, b. Aug., 1781, 
m. Isaiah Ryder of Charlton; Augusta, b. 1784, m. Dr. Dan Lamb of 
Charlton; Lucy Moore, b. Nov., 1787, m. Col. John Fitts. 

Hon. Salem Towne, son of Gen. Towne, was distinguished in his time, 
and his name was held in great honor in the county. Late William A. 
Wheelock of Ox ford was a lineal descendant of the first Hon. Salem 
Towne of Charlton. Mary (Campbell) Towne, remarried in 1768, Joseph 
Twiss, a landholder of Charlton. Samuel, b. 17(10, made a settlement 
on Lamoille river, Lamoille Co., Vt. ; Prudence m. Francis Blandine ; 
Lucretia m. Sibley Barton of Charlton. 

Esther, dau. of Jacob Towne and Mary Campbell, was m. to David 
Twiss. Isabella, dau. of Jacob and Mary (Campbell) Towne, was m. to 

Israel Houghton or Holten of Charlton. Children: Mary, ra. Howe 

of Medway ; Relief, m. Miller of Franklin, a brother of Dr. Miller; 

Sewall a son; Isabella was ra. June, 1801, to Henry B. Morgan of 
Whitestown, N. Y., b. 1774, came to Oxford in 1800, was connected in 
trade with Samuel Campbell. 

Isabella Towne in a second marriage to Ebenezer Rich of Sutton. 
Children: Ebenezer, b. June, 1786; Jacob, Elislia, William, who resided 
on the old road from Sutton to Oxford, about a mile westerly of the 
James Freeland farm. A part of an old orchard is still to be seen and 
the outline of an old well. 

Near the old North Common on the west side of the Worcester road in 
Oxford there is a lake called "Towne's Pond," in honor of the Towne family 
as adjoining their landed estates as a boundary. There was a tradition of the 
Indians at the time of the first Enj^lish settlement in Oxford that the site of 
the lake was once a high hill, but that an earthquake produced a very singular 
phenomenon, the liill sank leaving a deep chasm which gradually filled with 
water. This lake has an area of several acres, its shores are shelving and clear 
but terminate in a great depth of water. 

Sylvanus, a son of Jacob Towne, was a gentleman distinguished in 
his time, he held many important offices, a Revolutionary soldier, 
marched in Crafts' Cav. Co. on Lexington Alarm, in Saratoga battles, 
colonel of militia and a government officer in " Shays' Rebellion." He 
died in Oxford, April, 1818. March, 1775, he m. Margaret, dau. of Wm. 
Watson; was remarried to Ruth, dau. of Daniel and Elizabeth (Green) 



Biographical Sketches. 501 

Hovey; on the decease of Mr. Hovey his widow was married to Rev. 
Benjamin Foster. 

William, son of Sylvanus Towns, b. Feb., 1777, was a physician, 
resided at Thompson, Ct., and Westminster, Vt., and died in Worcester. 
Sylvanus, son of Sylvanus Towne, enlisted in the U. S. army, continued 
in service 20 years, returned home before his decease, Sept. 4, 1823, 
aged 44 years. Charles, son of Sylvanus, m. Sarah, dau. of Jonathan 
Harris, resided in Oxford. Beujamin F., a son of Sylvanus Towne, m. 
Mary, dau. of Capt. Andrew Sigourney, and resided in Oxford. 

The descendants of Jonathan Harris, Esq., on the maternal side, trace 
their ancestry to Richard Towne of Braceby; Enj^land. Timothy Harris 
was of Scotch ancestry, as would appear. The name is found among 
the Border Clans in Scotland with its orthography of Hereis or Harries. 
The Harris family trace more remotely to French ancestry. Timothy, 
son of Robert Harris of Roxbury, 1643, in. Mary, a dau. of Samuel 
Sterne of Dedham. Samuel, sou of Timothy, m. Margaret, dau. of 
Joseph and Elizabeth Robbins, August, 1752. He died August, 1798. 
Mrs. Harris died Dec, 1807. Samuel Harris was the town clerk of 
Oxford for years 1776 to 1798; twelve years town treasurer, 1777 to 
1780, 1787 to 1795, and was honored with other offices of trust. Jonathan 
Harris, Esq., was town clerk of Oxford for years 1800 to 1812 inclusive. 
Town offices of trust and honor in olden time were very carefully be- 
stowed. Jonathan, son of Samuel, a revolutionary soldier, in 1781, m. 
Huldah, dau. of Isaac Towne. Mr. Harris was a collector of State 
taxes; he died in 1830. Mrs. Harris died in 1834. 

The widow of Isaac Towne ra. Samuel Bixby. She removed to 
Bethel, Maine, died aged 104 years. Isaac Towne was the son of John 
Towne, who came to Oxford with his father, who was one of the first 
proprietors in the plantation. Abijah, son of Timothy, m. Sarah, dau. 
of Abial Lamb, resided on a large landed estate in the southern part of 
Oxford. He was a Revolutionary soldier, marched on Lexington 
Alarm, a lieut. of militia. He was succeeded on his estate by his son 
Asa Harris. 

WOLCOTT. 

Josiah Wolcott, son of John and Elizabeth fPapillon) Wolcott, a 
grandson of Judge Josiah Wolcott, of Salem, Mass., became a resident 
of Oxford in 1750 or previously. He married Isabella, the daughter of 
Rev. John Campbell of Oxford. It is said he was a pupil of Rev. John 
Campbell previous to his marriage. His residence was on a border of 
the South Common. Josiah Wolcott was the heir to a landed estate in 
Oxford once belonging to Thomas Freake of County of Wiltshire, Eng- 
land, and also the heir of his grandmother, Elizabeth (Papillon) Wol- 



502 The Records of Oxford. 

cott, who was the daughter of Peter Papillon of Boston, aud one of the 
heirs to his estate in Oxford. Children of Josiah and Isabella (Camp- 
bell) Wolcott: John died Sept. 28, 1825, unmarried; Edward Kitchen 
resided in Boston; Thomas F. ; Frealve married Josiah Sliumway; Eliza- 
beth married Andrew Sigouruey; Peter died unmarried ; Mary married 
John Dana, resided at Orford, N. H. ; William died young in Oxford ; 
Joshua; MehetalMe married Phiuehas Dana, resided in Orford, N. H., 
and in Woolwich, Me. ; Henry resided near Boston, was of Oxford 1803, 
died young at his father's residence. He died Dec. 9, 1796, aged 63; 
Isabella died June 27, 1786. Josiah Wolcott remarried Naomi, widow 
of Samuel Jennisou. 

Peter Papillon left Oxford in 1801 for Woolwich, Mc, to take a super- 
vision of his father's estate in woodlands in that vicinity; he never 
returned aud not any intelligence of him reached his friends. His 
travelling dress was a deep green broadcloth trimmed with silver but- 
tons. He was supposed to have been robbed and murdered. 

Josiah Wolcott on an old account-book has a charge from 1785 to 
1791 against his son, Peter Papillon Wolcott, viz. : "To a venture I p' 
Edw'^ for you to Carolina £5." 

In 1788 Josiah Wolcott gave to. his daughter Freake a part of 
Kitchen's land, 65 acres and buildings, bounded west on Elizabeth's 
land. Josiah Shumway married Freake Wolcott. He resided aud died 
at this place. Josiah Wolcott also gave a part of the Kitchen land to 
his daughter Elizabeth, who married Andrew Sigourney. 

Edward Kitchen was a son of Josiah and Isabella (Campbell) Wolcott 
of Oxford, born April, 1754. He was a merchant of Boston, being 
educated by his uncle, Edward Kitchen of Salem, who married an aunt 
of his father. Mr. Kitchen at his decease left to him his large fortune. 
Edward K. Wolcott married Hannah, a daughter of Henry Sewall, Esq., 
of Brookline, whose mother was Rebecca, born 1681, a daughter of 
Governor Joseph Dudley, w^ho had married in 1702 Samuel Sewall, Jr., 
Esq., and died 1761. Ann, a daughter of Edward K. Wolcott, married 
Philip Kidgeway. Her daughter, Mrs. Ann (Ridgeway) Gilbert, widow 
of Dr. Daniel Gilbert of Boston, had in her possession a portrait of 
Gov. Dudley. There was another portrait of Gov. Dudley given by 
Mrs. Pedy (Whitney) Dudley to the City of Boston. Mrs. Dudley was 
the widow of Col. Joseph Dudley of Roxbury. 

From a memorandum : " Salem the 8* month called Octo 6 1635 I John 
Wolcott of Salem have bartered and soukl vnto William Lord of Salem all and 
every part of my house aud ... in Salem formerly in the occupation of Mr 
Roger Williams and from him by order from Mi-s Higansou sould vnto, as by 
a quittance vnder Mrs Wms. hand doth appear In witness whereof I have 



Biographical Sketches. 503 

hear vnto put my hand and Seals this 25"i of the 9"i mo : called Novemb"" anno 
1635 J no. Wolcott." 

The Roger Williams house was an elegant old mansion that dates back to the 
early settlement of Salem (Mr. Williams leaving Salem in 163')), It was a 
large mansion of two stories in height, with a heavy low chimney; it had three 
gables in front, the centre gable projecting several feet, giving a stately 
entrance from a wide arched door with a huge knocker. The door was 
reached by several stone steps, ascending from a narrow lawn enclosed with a 
heavy stone wall. All the gables were surmounted by small turrets. The 
windows were tall, narrow, double casement windows, of diamond glass set in 
lead, the casement forming in its setting a Roman cross. 

Judge Wolcott of Salem was a son of Henry and Sarah (Newbury) 
Wolcott of Windsor, Ct., a brother of Henry Wolcott, who inherited 
Gaklou Manor in England. He was born in Windsor, Ct., July, 1659. 
He married Penelope, a daughter of Capt. George Curwin, Feb., 168g. 
She died Dec, 1690. 

Her father was born in England at the family seat, Workington, County 
Cumberland, and it is the seat of the ancient knightly family of the Curwens. 
Northumberland, who took that by covenant from Culwen, a family of 
Galloway, the heir whereof he had married, descended from Gospatrlck, 
Earl of Northumberland. They have a stately castle-like seat, and from this 
family ("increaseth vanity"). 

Judge Wolcott in his second marriage to Mary, daughter of John 
Freake of Boston, had issue, a son and daughter only survived him. 
The daughter married Edward Kitchen of Salem. His son, John 
Wolcott of Salem, received his education at Harvard University, Cam- 
bridge, graduated in 1721. He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Capt. 
Peter Papillon of Boston. 

John Wolcott of Salem inherited a large fortune from his father, a 
part of his estate was Scarlett's Wharf, Boston, valued at £6,500. 
He was High Sheriff of Essex County in 1737. He died in 1747. Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Papillon) Wolcott married John Higginson, Esq., of Salem. 

Letter from Judge Wolcott. 

" Charlestown : 9: 5"> : 1679. 
' ' Most dear Bro. R. 

" I hope in a seven night after this kisses your hand [to 
be with you]. I intimated some w' to my father about Mr. Russells 
motive, and I think he has now gotten iucurajmi^ enough from our Sister 

M. to write to F . I shall without persuasion leave it to your Pru- 

dentiall Judicatures to in- or dis-Courage, as far as may be-come 



504 T'he Records of Oxford. 

causes by Councill, I know not to add, but wishing you Much prosperity 
& longevite, 

" Subscribe 

" St. yo"" very Lo" Bro"" 

"Jos: WOLCOTT 

" Pray present my harty Love to my good Sister." 

Judge Wolcott to his brother Henry. 

" Salem Decern'' primo 1693. 
"I have sent herewith a gold hat band for your selfe, and a lawt 
handlsercher for my Good sister, wch I request her to accept as a 
Remembrance of her that boath made and wore it.* 
" I firmly purpose to See you in the Spring. 
" Dei Gratia 
" I am 
" Yc assured Lo Bro"^ & Servant 

" J. Wolcott." 

The Wolcott family is of great antiquity. Its coat of arms : Shield ; 
Argent a cheveron ermined between three chess Rooks. Crest A Bull's 
Head erased argent, armed or, ducally gorged, lined and ringed of the 
last. Motto: " NuUins addictus jurare in verba magistri." "To think 
and decide for one's self." Bearing the name of Wolcott. There is a 
record of Heury y fifth king of England playing a game of chess with 
one of the Wolcott family. 

Henry Wolcott, who came to New England in 1628, was the second 
son of John Wolcott of Tolland, Somersetshire, England. " Henry y" 
son of John Wolcott was baptized in Lydiard, St. Lawrence, the VI of 
December 1578." Henry Wolcott was the ancestor of the Wolcott 
family of Connecticut and of Salem and of Oxford, Mass. The family 
records of this branch of the Wolcott family are traced back to 1505. 

He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Saunders of Lydiard, St. 
Lawrence. As the record states " this happie pair were married Jan'y 
1606." He came to New England in 1628, and in the year 1630 brought 
over his family to avoid the persecutions against dissenters during the 
reign of Charles I. He remained at Dorchester until 1635. "No 
sooner were buds, leaves and grass so green that cattle could live in the 
woods," when Henry Wolcott removed with his family, Rev. John 
Maverick and many of the members of the church of Dorchester, to 
Connecticut, and founded the town of Windsor. He was a gentleman 
of education and wealth; here he became a magistrate and assisted in 



'Penelope (Curwen) Wolcott. 



Biogi'apJncal Sketches. 505 

originating the plan for the government of the Colony of Connecticut. 
He died May, 1655. 

Henry Wolcott, by the decease of his eldest brother, Christopher 
Wolcott of England, became heir to the family estates in England, 
including Galdon Manor and the ancient mills belonging to the estates. 
In 1640 he visited England. Extract from a letter of John Wolcott, his 
brother: "Christopher Wolcott of Galdon Manor is dead — and that he 
died without any will and Galdon Manor and the Mill is (yours). He 
writes my son has not returned from the Indins [Indias]. To my loving 
brother Hennary Walcutt dwelling in Windsor." 

Galdon Manor (the mill belonged to the Wolcott estate) is a curious 
specimen of ancient architecture, it is in a dilapidated condition. Henry 
Wolcott died May, 1655. In his will he gives his estates in England to 
his eldest son Henry, who is styled a planter at Windsor, Ct. Mrs. 
Elizabeth Wolcott died July, 1655. Over the graves of Henry and 
Elizabeth Wolcott of Windsor there is an arched monument of brown 
sandstone: "These both dyed in hope." Extract from his will: "I 
give unto my son Henry all that is due unto me from him on accompt 
on my booke, my ring that I seale with & my best sword, pistoUs, & 
brass gunn." For two and a half centuries the identiiied signet ring 
(H. W.) has come down to the family as a legacy from the successive 
Henrys. 

Henry Wolcott, who accompanied his father from England, made a 
settlement at Dorchester and afterward at Windsor, Ct., 1635, was heir 
to Galden Manor. He married Sarah, daughter of Thomas Newbury. 
He received many offices of honor. He died July, 1680. He left his 
estate in England to his son Henry, who died without male issue. It 
afterwards reverted to his two daughters, Mrs. Allyn and Mrs. Chauncey, 
at his decease. It is said the mill belonged to the Wolcott estate more 
than three hundred years ago, and the house belonging to the mill. 

On a silver tankard and cup of Governor Roger Wolcott of Windsor, Ct., 
which are still in the family, on each there are etched copies of the shield of 
the Wolcott arms, and the same etched shield is engraved on a tombstone. On 
two valuable communion cups of silver which Gov. Wolcott ordered from 
England and presented to the church in South Windsor, Ct., there are engraved 
only the initials of his own name and his wife, R. W. 1756, S. W. 1756. 

Governor Roger Wolcott of the Colony of Connecticut was born in 
1702. He was a nephew of Judge Wolcott of Salem ; gained great dis- 
tinction in the Connecticut Colony; was Lieut. -Governor and aftex'ward 
Governor for several years, and was at the conquest of Louisburg in 
1745 in command of the Col. force. 

New London, Ct., April 1. Gen. Wolcott arrived and was welcomed 



5o6 The Records of Oxford. 

with salutes from the fort and sloop Defence. His tent was pitched on 
the hill, at the northeast corner of the burial-place. On Sunday the 7th 
Mr. Adams preached to the General and soldiers, drawn up on the meet- 
ing-house green. On the 9th the commissions were published with 
imposing ceremonies. The eight companies were arranged in close 
order on the green, and the throng of spectators around the hill. 
Through them Gen. Wolcott, supported right and left by Col. Andrew 
Burr and Lieut. -Col. Simon Lothrop, marched bareheaded from his tent 
to the door of the Custom House, where the commissions were read. 
The troops embarked Saturday, April 13th. The next day the fleet 
sailed. The Defence carried Gen. Wolcott and 100 men, he arrived 
April 30. June 17 the city of Louisburg capitulated. Gen. Wolcott 
was in the Revolutionary War at the battle of Saratoga. 

A description of the dress of an officer of his rank under the royal 
government may not be uninteresting. He frequently rode on horse- 
back and never appeared in public only in full dress. " He wore a suit 
of scarlet broadcloth. The coat was made long, with wide skirts, and 
trimmed down the full length in front with gilt buttons, and broad gilt 
vellum button-holes two or three inches in length. The cuffs were 
large and deep reaching nearly to the elbows and were ornamented like 
the sides of the coat, as were also the pocket lids, with gilt vellum 
button-holes and buttons. The waistcoat had skirts and was richly 
embroidered. Ruffles at the bosom and over the hands were of lace. 
He had a flowing wig with a three-cornered hat witli a cockade, and 
i-ode slowly and stately a large black horse whose tail swept the ground. 
A set of gold buttons of Gov. Wolcott are stillin the family." 

Among the tomb-stones in the Granary Burial Ground, Treraont 
Street, Boston, there is found one at the tomb of John Frcake, on which 
is engraved the coat of arms of the Freake family, who resided at 
Courtney, County Dorset. Mr. Freake, an English gentleman, was a 
merchant of Boston, Mass. He was a brother of Thomas Freake of 
Hauniugton, Wiltshire, England. He was known in Boston as early as 
1670. He died on board a ship in Boston harbor from an explosion of 
powder, it being a part of the cargo. The vessel had just arrived from 
Virginia. Mr. Freake with several gentlemen were on board inspecting 
the merchandise when the explosion took place, May 4, 1675. The 
vessel was destroyed. Mr. Freake was less than forty years of age at 
the time of his death. Family tradition states that he was the owner 
of the ill-fated ship. Mr. Freake was permitted the prefix of " Mr." as 
a title of respect, not being in general use. Mr. Freake was married to 
Elizabeth, the daughter of Col. Thomas Clarke, an English gentleman, 
May 28, 1661. Their children were: Mary, Elizabeth, Clarke, John, 



Biographical Sketches. 507 

Jane Mehetabel, Thomas, and Mary, born May 26, 1674, married Judge 
Josiah Wolcott of Salem. 

There are portraits of Mr. John and Madam Elizabeth Freake, three- 
fouiths length, painted in oil, still in the possession of lineal descen- 
dants.* Madam Freake is very beautiful in her person, she is dressed 
in a brocaded silk with stomacher bertha, and a white pinner as a head- 
dress. She has In her arms the infant Mary, who was one year old 
when her father died, she was the grandmother of Josiah "Wolcott, Esq., 
of Oxford. The dress of Mr. Freake is in the fashion of a court dress in 
Charles II. 's reign. The portraits were painted some time during 
1674-75. They are in rich Florentine frames. Mrs. Freake remarried 
Hon. Elisha Hutchinson of Boston. 

Edward Hutchinson, Esq., of Boston, died at Oxford, May, 1806, aged 
76 years, his remains were entombed in the family vault of Josiah 
"Wolcott. He died unmarried. Edward Hutchinson left Boston for a 
retired life in the country. He gave his fortune to his nephew, Lieut. - 
Governor Robbins. Mr. Hutchinson was born in Boston, Dec, 1729, 
he was educated at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1748. 
It is related that Mr. Hutchinson wrote the English language with great 
purity and was not without a taste for poetry. On the margins and 
blank leaves of some of the volumes of his library there were elegant 
translations from Latin into English, a proof of his superior scholarship. 

"While a resident at Oxford he occupied apartments, during his last 
years, at the ancient Jonathan Pratt mansion, and with his gentle horse 
and square canvas top chaise with its large round window in the back 
of the top, a most clumsy affair of an ancient carriage, he would be 
seen taking his drives all about the country making collections of wild 
flowers, as he was fond of botany, and also gathering specimens of 
birds and insects as a naturalist. 

The ancient Pratt mansion house is situated near the North Oxford railroad 
station and is a relic of the past of great interest. 

Mr. Hutchinson in his choice of Oxford as a home was influenced by 
his relative and friend, Josiah Wolcott, Esq., whose father was his 
cousin. Hon. Elisha Hutchinson of Boston, a most distinguished gentle- 
man, in a second marriage was united to Mrs. Elizabeth Freake, the 
widow of Mr. John Freake of Boston ; his son Edward by this marriage 
was the father of Edward Hutchinson of Oxford; Sarah unmarried, 
and Elizabeth who was educated in England and married Rev. Nathaniel 
Robbins of Milton. Elisha Hutchinson's son Thomas, by his first raar- 



* Col. J. "Wolcott Wetherell of Worcester. 



5oS The Records of Oxford. 

riage, was the father of Thomas Hutchinson, Royal Governor of Massa- 
chusetts. 

Edward Kitchen, Esq., of Salem, Mass., was a merchant of great 
wealth. The Town Records of Oxford name him as a land proprietor, 
though he was a non-resident. The land he held was a part of the land 
of Thomas Freake of England, as Mrs. Kitchen was a daughter of Hon. 
Josiah and Mary Frealie of Salem, the sister of John Wolcott and aunt 
of Josiah Wolcott of Oxford. The portrait of Mr. Kitchen appears to 
have been painted in extreme early youtii, with brown natural hair, he 
is richly dressed in a blue sillc coat with a muslin neck baud with a wide 
hem carelessly fastened at the neck. John Kitchen of Salem came from 
England in 1640. His son of Robert, the father of Edward, was a mer- 
chant and ship-owner of Salem. Robert, a brother of Edward, died 
while a student at Harvard University, Cambridge, Sept. 20, 1716. 

There is a grace and refinement in the portrait of Mrs. Kitchen as 
well as of great beauty of person. She is taken life-size, one-half 
length, holding on her haud a pet bird. She was tlie mother of two 
children, Robert, who died in infancy, and of Mary, who died at the age 
of seven years, Oct. 28, 1738. The grief of the disconsolate mother 
was so intense that she faded and died of consumption. " Here lyeth 
interred tlie body of Mrs. Freake Kitchen, wife of Edward Kitchen, 
Esq. and daughter of Hon. Josiah Wolcott Esq. who departed this life 
Jan. 27 1746 A. E. 84 years." Epitaph: " Here lies buried the body of 
Edward Kitchen, Esq., who departed this life August 17 1766 A. E. 66 
yrs."— A copy from his tomb-stone in the old North burying-grouud on 
the hill Salem, Mass. The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen are in the 
possession of Andrew Wolcott Sigourney of Oxford, Mass. 

Peter Papillon. 

Peter Papillon was a resident of Boston, in 1679 removed to Bristol, 
R. I., where he died. Mary, born in Bristol, R. I., 1680, a daughter of 
Peter and Joan Papillon, and a son Peter, born in 1681, who became a 
resident of Boston. In 1723 £100 was ordered by the State authorities 
to be paid to Peter Papillon, captain of the ship '■'■Flying Horse" to be 
distributed to seamen who enlisted under him to pursue the pirate 
[Low] off the coast, 9 June, 1722. [Gen. Court Rec] 

1720, April 25, Vol. 35, pp. 18-19. "J. Blackwell to Peter Papillon 
a tract which fell by lot to John Blackwell, the father (late of Boston), 
in the town of Oxford, within the Nipmuck country, containing 6,000 
acres, also a lot near the above cont. 1,714 acres, or in all 7,714 acres, 
the latter formerly belonged to Dan. Cox, London, farther title to same 
tract Blackwell to Papillon, consideration £300." 



Biographical Sketches. 509 

The Papillon Family. 

Dr. Baird thought them descended from the Huguenot family of the 
name in Avranches, Normandy, which had suffered severely from perse- 
cution. "Whitmore, in " Sewall's Diary," I'efers to Mr. Papillon of Lon- 
don, a distinguished person in his day, of great wealth. Peter, the 
emigrant, of Boston in 1679, supposed to have been his descendant, 
removed about 1681 to Bristol, where he died; date of inventory 26 
Nov., 1697. His widow Joan, 23 March, 1700, was granted by a special 
act of legislature leave to sell real estate for her support, she having 
" several small children." Judicial Courts had then no power to author- 
ize the sale of lands of minors. [Prov. Laws, VI., 73.] Peter, Jr., 
known as Captain, was a Boston merchant and held a high social posi- 
tion. He died 1733 and was buried " under arras." His widow Kathe- 
rine and son-in-law John Wolcott, Esq., of Salem, were appointed 
administrators 10 May, 1733. Among his effects were " a farm in the 
Huguenot settlement at Oxford," and a mansion house on Bennet 
Street, Salem. His widow died a few months later. 

Capt. Richard Williams of Boston married, Dec, 1735, Martha, 
daughter of Capt. Peter Papillon. Subsequently they became residents 
of Oxford on a part of the Papillon estate, located in the southwest part 
of the town. The mansion house was large and roomy, with a long 
roof in the rear, lean-to style, descending to one story; the house went 
to decay long ago. Capt. Williams died in 1751. One son, Jeffrey 
Bedgood, born 1748, and two daughters survived him. Mrs. Williams 
married John Ballard of Boston, who was the guardian of her children, 

An inventory of the estate of Capt. Peter Papillon, late of Boston, 
merchant, deceased. These papers were presented by Prof. Raphael 
Pumpelly of Newport, R. I., who is a lineal descendant of Peter Papillon 
of Bristol, R. I. 

1735, Sept. 18. John Wolcott, surviving adminst. (the personal estate 
of Peter Papillon not sufficing by £1760. 9. 9i to pay debts and being 
empowered to sell real estate to pay debts) sells to Joseph Williams, 
shopkeeper, for £350 the lot on Bennet St. (Boston). 

1736, Aug. 19. J. Wolcott of Salem, surviv. administ. of Peter 
Papillon to Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., sells for £1000 the lot and house 
bounded on North end by Moon St. and on N. E. by passageway leadiug 
to Mr. Hutchinson's garden, 58 x 66. 

MS. received from Prof. Pumpelly. 

The mansion house of Peter Papillon in Boston appears to have been 
in plain English style of that time. One entered the house by a large 
apartment, the door from the street opening into this room which was 
styled "y" Hall." The walls of which were ornamented with pictures 



5IO Tlie Records of Oxford. 

and an eight-day clock and case. A large fire-place with its brass- 
headed dogs and with fire shovel and tongs gave an air of cheerful- 
ness to the apartment, with a chimney glass and pair of small sconces, 
rich cane chairs with a small tea table and its furniture. A punch bowl 
and 2 china bowls with 2 decanters and " a walnut ovel table." 

"In the House there is named a Hall & its furniture with the Hall 
chamber, parlor, parlor chamber, y Long Kitchen or Breakfast room 
with its chamber and in this room were kept the Sunday books Except- 
ing a large Bible for the Familys use aud in this room was exhibited all 
the pewter ware aud six brass candlesticks with snufl'ers, 1 warming 
pan, 1 oak oval table & 1 looking glass & y^ Back Kitchen & Garret 
(the servants and slaves lodged in the garret). 

" In y« back Kitchen were many articles of brass ware also of copper 
& Belmettle, Brass Kettles of 3 sizes value £18. 1. 6. 

1 Brass porridge pot 1. 

Bel mettle skillit do small 3. 

1 Wind up Jack & Spit 9. 

1 old pull up Jack &c. &c. 

The wrought Plate amounting to £212. 

& y Rest of y* Goods & Furniture were equally divided among the Four 
Daughters except 2 Silver Porrengers & 2 Spoons & some small Bediug 
& Cloathiug w^'' Mad'" desired might be given to her Relations Storey & 
Alsop families." 

"His LiNNEN & Cl-OATHS." 

Among the linen are the items : 
4 Muslin necks & 2 Caps, included in all, 
10 thin Jackitts & 13 p' britches 

1 Black suit, £8. 1 Light Silk Jackit 
G p"^ Silk Stockings 

2 pr. new silk stockings 
"With many coats & cloaks added to the inventory with other numer- 
ous articles. 

1 Silver watch & chain £16 0. 0. 

1 Sea Chest 1. o. 0. 

1 Fuzee* (short gun) £3. lo. 0. 



6. 


0. 


3. 


0. 


0. 


0. 


10. 


0. 


12. 


6. 



£10. 


10. 


0. 


4. 


0. 


0. 


£2 


0. 


0. 


£3 


0. 


0. 


£5. 


0. 


0. 



*Peter Papillon's short gun was used by him on board the government ships 
against piratical vessels. 

There is the following item in the will of Rev. John Campbell of Oxford, 
who died in 1T61, viz. : "I give and bequeath to my grandson John Wolcott 
my gun which was his great-grandfather Papillon's gun, aud which I pur- 
chased out of ye estate of Capt. Richard Williams, to be kept for him in the 
hands of my executors till he arrives at lawful age, then to be delivered to him 



Biogj'aphical Sketches. 511 

1 Saddle, Bridle & Portmanteau £3. 10. 0. 

1 leath'' Chaise for y« Family use not apprized. 

A Lott of Laud in Beunet Street 40 foot front £280. 0. 0. 

The Mansion house & Land thereto belonginaj £1200. 0. 0. 

An extract from "Memoirs of Thomas Paplllon of England," by A. 
F. W. Papillon, Major, 1887: "Peter Papillon, a younger paternal 
uncle of Thomas Papillon of England, it is worthy to mention that in 
1670 a namesake resided in Boston, United States, who was ancestor of 
a family of good position now in New England named Pumpelly, to a 
member of which the author is indebted for the fact. The corruption 
of the name began (in England) . . . being found in the Harleiau MSS. 
as ' Pampelion and Pompelion.'" 

David, the son of Thomas Papillon, Captain of the Koyal Guards, 
born in France, 1581, was brought with two sisters, Anne, born 1573, 
and Esther, born 1576, to England in 1588 by his mother (Jeane viene 
de Pierre). The vessel which brought them was wrecked on the coast 
of Kent, near Hythe; the mother was drowned. The father was still 
living in France, as was Thomas the eldest son, also a daughter Elizabeth, 
who married Monsieur Breton of Havre de Grace. 

Peter, a third sou, the date of whose birth is not given, came to Eng- 
land and was educated by his brother David, and became a French silk 
merchant, whether in France or England does not appear. He married 
Susanna, daughter of John Hersent of Southampton. At this date 
Peter disappears from the history of the Euglish branch of the Papillon 
family. 

English Branch of Papillon Family. 

David Papillon, who was taken to England by his mother in his child- 
hood, was a military engineer and architect. From 1642 to 1646 he was 
treasurer of Leicestershire. At one time he resided at Putney (Roe- 
hampton House), and afterwards at Lubenhara, Leicestershire, he built 
a mansion house, " Papillon Hall," which was suited for defence, not 
long since it was surrounded by a moat. It is still called "Papillon 
Hall." He translated several works from English into French. 

"The family tradition of the Papillon family of England claims con- 
nection with Antoiue Papillon." — Memoirs of Thomas Papillon. 

Antoine [Anthony] Papillon of Papillon, a gentleman of France, was 
of a highly cultivated mind, an elegant scholar of his time, the protege 
of Marguerite d'Angouleme, friend of Aimet Maigret and Erasmus. 



or to his order." This short gun, worth £3. 10. 0., is the same gun named in 
the inventory of Capt. Peter Papillon's estate. Mrs. Richard Williams and 
Mrs. John Wolcott were daughters of Peter Papillon, Jr. 



5i2 The tlecords of Oxford. 

Antoine Papillon, was joint almoner with Michel d'Aranch to Marguerite 
d'Angoulerae, the sister of Francis I., under whose protection he and 
others did much to extend the Reformation in Dauphine and Lyonnais, 
and through the influence of Marguerite Francis I. appointed him 
Maitre de Uequetes to the Dauphin. Marguerite's influence was lessened 
by the captivity of Francis I. His friend, Airaet Maigret, the Domini- 
can friar, had influenced him to translate from the German into French 
" Monastic Vows," by Martin Luther. Antoine Papillon was exiled and 
not long after was found dead, as was supposed from poison. 

" Almaque Papillon of Dijon, France, was born in 1487 and died in 
1559. He was the intimate friend of Clement Marot, who with Beza, 
composed the metrical version of the Psalms, which was set to music 
by Claude Goudinel, and had much influence in promoting the Reforma- 
tion in France."* 

" At Papillon's request, Marot sought and obtained for him the post 
of Valet de Chambre to Francis I., which he himself already held. Both 
Marot and Papillon were with Francis at the battle of Pavia (1525) and 
were taken prisoners with him." 

Marot wrote of Papillon : 

" Voila les pleurs et regret que je fais 
Pour mon ami, les parfait de parfaits." 

"Behold my tears and regrets made 
For my friend, the perfect of perfect." 

Thomas Papillon of Dijon, France, was the Valet de Chambre and 
Captain of the Royal Guard to Henry IV. of France and thrice his 
ambassador to Venice. He died in Paris in 1608. He was descended 
from an old French family of Tours, but the family was established at 
Dijon in 1321. The father of Thomas Papillon was a victim of the 
massacre in Paris, August 24, 1572, that memorable anniversary of St. 
Bartholomew's Day. It appears that Papillon was in Paris in honor of 
the marriage of King Henry IV. and that he was in his suite. 

The Papillon family was one of the most distinguished in France, tracing 
their ancestry to a very remote date. 

Thomas, born in 1723 at Roehampton House, the son of David 
Papillon of England, was a merchant of London. He joined the East 
India Company. In 1673 he was elected a member of I'arliament for 
Dover. He received a second election. He was also twice elected a 
member of Parliament for London, 1695 and 1698. In Oct., 1689, he 
was chosen Alderman of London, which honor he declined though the 



* Baird's History of the Rise of the Huguenots. 



biographical Sketches. 513 

Common Cryer brought a gown with the Lord Mayor's orders to invest 
him. In 1666 Thomas Papillon had purchased Acrise Place in Kent, it 
was some twelve miles from Canterbury and very near Wingham, the 
seat of his friend, Sir Henry Oxenden, Bart., whose brother, Sir 
George, was Governor of Bon»bay. Acrise Place is situated in a lovely 
shaded vale, made extremely beautiful by its quietude and natural 
scenery. This ancestral hall was the home of the descendants of 
Thomas Papillon for many generations. 

In August, 1689, Papillon was placed on a commission of five by the 
King for the disbursement of £1,000 a month in the relief of French 
refugees, the other commissioners being the Bishops of London and 
Salisbury, Mr. Hampden (a Commissioner of the Treasury and after- 
wards Chancellor of the Exchequer), and Sir John Mordent. The King 
first ordered the outlay and Parliament confirmed it. — Memoirs of 
Thomas Papillon. 

Thomas Papillon died in London, May 5, 1702, he was buried in the 
family vault at Acrise, May 21, "and though none were invited to his 
burial, yet his own children and grandchildren attended him with twelve 
coaches to Greenwich, when only four continued the journey, design- 
ing it to be private; but on Broughton HIU they were met by a number 
of horse, and some gentlemen's coaches, and conducted to Canterbury; 
the next day the same company attended with them, and at Barham 
Downs they were met by a greater from Dover." 

" Above three hundred rings were distributed and nearly as many 
pairs of gloves; and five shillings a piece were sent to all the Freemen 
of Dover." Thus passed from earth Thomas Papillon, the christian 
gentleman, greatly admired for his excellence.— Memoirs of Thomas 
Papillon. 

Learned. 

William Learned's name is found in the Church Records of Bermond- 
sey parish, England, from 1612 to 1623, as his children here received 
baptism and died; Isaac, the son, only survived, he accompanied his 
parents to America. 

William Learned and his son Isaac, the first of the name in this 
country, are identified with the William and Isaac of Bermondsey parish. 
There are no other entries of the name in the records of Bermondsey 
parish than those which are given above. The late Col. Joseph L. 
Chester of London spoke of the name as what he called the mystery, 
and hoped some day to find a solution. The name is not found in the 
directories of the present day, either of London or of the counties in 
England ; or in the poll lists, or indexes to county histories. 



514 The Records of Oxford. 

In the parish records of Bermondsey, County of Surrey, England, are 
found the following: 

A marriage license was granted by the Bishop of Loudon, June 4, 
1612, for James Hull, of the city of London, gentleman, and Ann Larned, 

spinster, daughter of Larned, deceased. This Ann may have been 

a sister of William. 

These are the only traces of the name which have thus far been found 
in England, either of an earlier or of a later date. Col. Josepii L. 
Chester has examined his own MSS. collections from Parish Registers 
(some 110 folio volumes containing about 400 pages each); the calen- 
dars of wills in the General Registry, from 1383 to 1700; the various 
lists of names at the Public Record office, the British Museum and 
Herald College, without finding the name. The name does not appear 
in the army lists of the civil war period, though that of Learner does. 
Col. Chester has also examined, with the same want of success, the 
lists of wills in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, the calendars of 
the local registries covering Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Berk^hire, 
Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and the portion of Kent 
included in the diocese of Rochester, and the parish registers of Ware 
and the indexes at the Public Record office; the registers of the oldest 
Dissenting churches, and of the old French churches, now deposited in 
the office of the Registrar General, and many other lists of names. 

In the lists of the French emigrants who were naturalized the name 
is not found ; nor is any found which is like it. Nor was there any 
French name in England, at the date of the Bermondsey records, which 
could be translated into Learned. 

In the "Early Suffolk Deeds," by John T. Hassam, there is found a 
long list of Huguenot names, included with them is that of Lernoult. 
Some have supposed it to be the French name of Learned. The name 
of Learned in many instances anciently terminated differently, as in 
some instances Learner, Lerne, Learn and Larned. The name of 
Learned, with all its varied orthography, is traced to the French words 
of Savoir, Savant, Su (Sue). " Un Savant, a learned man." The Eng- 
lish name of Learned in the French language is " Sue." 

Isaac* (William'), was born Feb. 25, 1623, in Bermondsey parish. 
County Surrey, England, and accompanied his parents to New England. 
He married in Woburn, July 9, 1056, Mary, daughter of Isaac Sternes 
of Watertown. In April, 1652, he removed to Chelmsford. 

From the records of the First church of Charlestown, Mass. " 1632, 
10 mo., day 6, William Learned and Goodith, his wife were admitted." 
This name Goodith is said by Rev. Samuel Sewall not to be a corrupt 
spelling of Judith, but an old English name from the Saxon, Goditha. 



BiograpJiical Sketches. ^\<^ 

But in the Charlestown Records there is a list of such as were inhabi- 
tants of the town in 1630 " unto whom planting lots were given," and 
among them his name is in the record. 

In lb'40 William Learned (spelled by the clerk Lernedt) with others 
formed the first church in Woburn. Here he received six acres and a 
half for a house lot and farm in meadow, and the residence, being sixty 
acres, " the one halfe in forest field and the other halfe in playne field." 
He died March 1, 1646; he was born 1590. 

Isaac, ^ Isaac, ^ William,' was born Sept., 1655, married July, 1679, 
Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah Warren Bigelow of Watertown. 
He resided in Framingham near a beautiful lake of o6 acres, still called 
for him Learned's pond. He was a soldier in Capt. Davenport's company 
at the Narragausett fight and was wounded in 1679. 

Lieut. Isaac* Larned was a gentleman of good estate, he was a land 
surveyor and much in public life, receiving the respect of the inhabitants 
and the several offices offered for his acceptance. He resided on Jansen's 
plain, near the ruins of the Jansen house in the French settlement. 

Isaac* of Framingham married, Nov., 1706, Sarah, daughter of John 
and Elizabeth Woolson How. His home lot was the plantation sub- 
sequently so long in the possession of the Peter Shumway family; here 
Isaac Darned resided and died May 20, 1753. In 1752 he had given a 
deed of his farm to his son Isaac, ^ Jr., who in 1755 exchanged farms 
with his brother-in-law, Jeremiah Shumway, who at that time was tfie 
owner of the Josiah Russell place, so called. In April, 1766, Isaac 
Larned sold the estate to Lieut. James Griflin. 

Isaac* Learned had purchased in May, 1718, of William Dudley 250 
acres of land " near the south boundary of Oxford Village." The south- 
west corner thereof being at the entrance of the stream from the Great 
Pond into the river. In Dec, 1735, he gave a deed to his son Isaac^ of 
120 acres " in the south part of Oxford." This embraced the farm occu- 
pied by Isaac, ^ John,® Johu,^ and his descendants successively to the 
present time. 

Jolm« Larned, son of Capt. John Larned, was John L. 3d while Capt. John 
Senior lived, until he died, April, 1796. After that time another John is called 
3d on Oxford records. He was then known as " Over the River John." 

Lieut. Isaac Learned and his brother, Col. Ebenezer Learned, were in 
the first English settlement of Oxford, 1713. They were both gentlemen 
of French ancestry. The names of their descendants are found iu the 
Inter-Colonial wars as well as in the war of the Revolution.— See Army 
Records. 

Col. Ebenezer Learned also purchased 300 acres of land in the County 
Gore. He bequeathed to his eldest son, Ebenezer, 400 acres upon 



5i6 The Records of Oxford. 

Stony river, now known as the French river. His homestead estate 
contained some 1,000 acres. He was the largest landholder in Oxford. 
He built mills on his estate previously to 1728, the ancient mills have 
long since disappeared and flourishing manufactories occupy their sites. 
His wife was designated as Madam Learned and tradition speaks of her 
as a woman of superior endowments. Col. Learned died March, 1772. 

Gen. Ebenezer,^ Ebenozer,*' Isaac, ^ Isaac,- William.' He married 
Jerusha Baker of Oxford. The first residence of Gen. Ebenezer Learned 
was about one mile north of liis father's, situated on the brow of Pros- 
pect hill range, known at the present time as the Turner place. On his 
return home from the northern army he erected a mansion house on the 
Leicester road about three-fourths of a mile southwest from this resi- 
dence, his son Col. Sylvanus Learned succeeded him and it subsequently 
became the residence of Abishai Learned, Esq., a son of Col. Sylvanus 
Learned. 

From the Oxford records : Lady Jerusha, the consort of General 
Ebenezer Learned, died Feb. 22, 1799. He married second, Eliphal Put- 
nam of Worcester. Gen. Ebenezer Learned died April 1, 1801. 

Hayncs Learned, son of General Ebenzer Learned, in 1807 received an 
appointment from the United States government to superintend fortifi- 
cations at St. Mary's, Georgia. 

Col. Sylvanus Learned was a son of Gen. Ebenezer Learned and in 
1776, at the age of sixteen, went as an aid to his father in the Revolu- 
tionary army. 

David Learned, son of Gen. Ebenezer Learned, was a resident of 
Livermorc, Me., married, March IG, 1788, to Mary Heard of Oxford. 
He was high sheriff of the County of Oxford at its organization in 1805, 
and through his influence it was named after his native town. He after- 
wards rose to be a brigadier general. He went to New Orleans; his 
health became impaired and he died on his return passage to Boston, 
May 11, 1811. He was of medium height, compact, symmetrical figure, 
manly countenance, a deep toned voice and winning manner. 

In 1759 George Alverson was with the soldiers in Oxford Avho were 
enlisted in the expedition against Crown Point. Rufus Alverson, son 
of George,' was a young gentleman of superior endowments, removed 
from Oxford to Montreal, where he found many friends and by whom 
he was much esteemed and caressed for his education, accomplishments 
and moral excellence of character. He died suddenly Nov. 17, 1809. 
Among the relics found preserved by the father of this son were the 
following : For attendant during days of sickness. For expenses prev- 
ious to interment, medical attendance. For sexton's bill for chaplain. 
Fees recording interment, &c. To printer's bill for funeral cards. 



Biographical Sketches. 517 

The letter announcing the decease of young Alverson was addressed 
to his father, Worcester, the nearest post-office, to be forwarded by a 
private mail carrier to Oxford. 

Rufus Learned, son of Gen. Ebenezer Learned, married, May 3, 1791, 
Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Humphrey; resided on his father's landed 
estate in Oxford; died Jan. 17, 1803. His widow married his brother, 
Col. Sylvanus Learned. Children : Ruth, born Oct. 12, 1793, married, 
Oct. 12, 1815, George Alverson, Jr., of Oxford. 

Jeremiah* (Ebenezer,'' Isaac, ^ Isaac,- William'), born Jan., 1733, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hunt of Littleton, Dec, 1756; he married second, Mary, 
widow of Dr. Green of Thompson, Ct., who died Sept. 2, 1793; he mar- 
ried third, Oct. 7, 1793, Dorothy, daughter of Dr. Stephen and Dorothy 
(Moore) Barton, and he married fourth, Esther, widow of Dr. Weaver 
of Thompson, Ct. Capt. Learned died June, 1812, aged 79 years, 
Capt. Learned was a lieutenant and captain in a company of rangers in 
the French and Indian war. He was at Fort Edward and Fort William 
Henry, with his brother. Major Ebenezer Learned. 

" Mr. Jeremiah Learned has presented the town of Oxford a powder 
horn worn by his grandfather, Jeremiah Larned, in the old French war. 
It is inscribed 'Jeremiah Larued his horn. Lake George, July 4, 1756.'" 

Hannah, daughter of Isaac^ and Sarah (Bigelow) Learned of Fram- 
ingham, married Obediah Walker of Marlborough, son of Thomas and 
Martha (How) Walker, and grandson of Thomas and Mary Walker of 
Sudbury. — Barry, p. 430. 

Obediah Walker became a resident of Sutton; a large landed estate. 

His son Asa married Abigail . They had twelve children and his 

estate at his decease was inherited by his son Asa. Mrs. Walker was 
remarried to Rev. William Phipps of Douglas and resided in Oxford. 
Mrs. Phipps died July 31, 1820, aged 92 years. 

Davis. 

William Davis, son of William of Roxbury, born June, 1704, purchased 
land in Oxford, 1724. In 1739 and for several years after he was an inn- 
holder, owned the Benjamin Chamberlain plantation on the west side of 
Main street, extending from Quaboag lane (a road to Sturbridge) which 
bounded the late Abijah Davis estate, northerly, including the ancient 
tavern property, to Nathaniel Chamberlain's estate, or what was since 
known as the James Gleason land. It is now impossible to state whether 
the present Dr. Cushman place or the site of the old red tavern, corner 
of Main street and Charlton road, was the site of his residence. 

Samuel Davis, born June, 1681 at Roxbury, descended from William 
Davis of Roxbury, the lineage being John, son of William and Elizabeth 



5iS The Records of Oxford. 

H., married, 1669, Mary, daughter of Edward Devotion of Roxbury 
John, born October, 16-13, died March, 1705. She died February, 1683. 
William Davis, the ancestor of Samuel of Roxbury and subsequently of 
Oxford, is said to have been of Welch extraction, born 1617, and that he 
left Wales in the year 1635 and died August, 1683. He resided in Rox- 
bury from 1642 until his decease. A seal representative of the coat of 
arms of the Davis family of Caermarthon, South Wales, establishes the 
identity of the two families in ancestry. Samuel Davis became a resi- 
dent of Oxford in 1729, where he died, April, 1760. He married, June, 
1709, Mary, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Child) Chamberlain, of Rox- 
bury. She died, February, 1731, at Oxford. 

Samuel Davis was remarried, October 13, 1731, at Roxbury, to Mary, 
daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Faxton) Weld. He died August 9, 1786, 
at Oxford, aged 91. Her mother was the daughter of Thomas and Debo- 
rah (Thayer) Faxton, and was born at Braintree. 

Child of Mary Weld born at Oxford : John, born November 30, 1732, 
succeeded his father to his estate. 

In 1720 Samuel Davis, with his brother-in-law Thomas Mayo, and 
Joseph Weld, whose sister he afterward married, purchased of Gabriel 
Bernou, then of Kingston, R. I., his French plantation in Oxford village, 
then in Suffolk county, for the sum of twelve hundred pounds. Mr. 
Samuel Davis on becoming a resident of Oxford was much esteemed as a 
gentleman and held many offices of honor from the town. His residence 
was on the highlands east of the village street. 

Shumway. 

Peter Shumway, born in 1678, who made a settlement in Oxford 1713, 
was the son of Peter and Frances Shumway of Topslield, Mass. The 
first record we have of Peter Shumway of Topsfield is in 1675, when he 
enlisted on Dedham Common as a soldier in the great Narragansetf. 
fight, and with others was told " if he would play the man" that he 
should have a " land bounty." 

From Topsfield Town Records : "Peter Shumway and Mariah Smith 
both of Boxford* ware married on y 11th day of February 1700-1." 

"She was daughter of Robert and Mary B. Smith, 1677, Dec. 18." — 
Church Records, Topsfield. 

Baptisms: "Peter Shumway, his Oliver, May 10, 1702; Jeremiah 
Mar. 21, 1703; David, Dec. 23, 1705; Mary, May 9, 1708; Samuel, April 
22, 1711; John, Aug. 16, 1713." 

[These children probably came to Oxford with their parents in 1713. 
Three others, Jacob, Ilepzibah and Amos, were born in Oxford.] 

* Boxford joins Topsfield on the west, and while they lived in Boxford they 
still continued their connection with the Topsfield church. 



Biographical Sketches. 510 

"To THE Honorable Spencer Phips Esq Lieut Governor and Com- 
mander IN CmEF IN AND OVER HIS MaJESTIE'S PROVINCE OF THE 

Massachusetts Bay in New England : The Honorable Council 
AND House of Eepresentatives in General Court Assembled : 

"The Memorial of Peter Shumway of Oxford most humbly sheweth 
that whereas your humble memorialist did many years ago prefer a 
petition to the Honorable General Court of this Province praying that 
as he is the legal heir and representative of Peter Shumway of Topsfleld 
who was a long time in the service of this Country and particularly in 
the Narragansett war, and talking the Indian fort there which he in said 
petition proved by living testimonies and which he believes the Honora- 
ble John Chandler and others worthy members of this Honorable Court 
do yet remember, 

"And whereas your aged, decrepid and poor memorialist hath never 
yet received any gratuity, or reward in land or otherwise for his father's 
services and suflerings as many others have done, your most humble 
memorialist again most humbly prayeth this Honorable Court in their 
wonted goodness and compassion would make him a grant of some 
piece of Country land for said services, or otherwise as iu their great 
wisdom they [see] fit : which will oblige your most humble memorialist 
— as in duty bound will ever pray. 

"(Signed) Peter Shumway. 

"March 23, 1749-50." 

—Mass. Arch., XLVI., 212. 

This paper is iu the handwriting of Kev. John Campbell of Oxford. 

The flrst vote recorded on the proprietors' booi^s of Oxford is dated, 
" September 13 1713; voted: That Peter Shumway shall come in as an 
inhabitant of Oxford on the rights of Joshua Chandler." 

Peter Shumway was a surveyor of highways March 5, 1716. 

"January 25 1716-17 voted in y affirmative that Peter Shumway shall 
be an associat with y Grantees in oxford village upon y Right of 
Joshua Chandler as it was voted Sept'"^ry« 13 1713." 

Peter Shumway kept a garrison house. 

It would appear that Peter Shumway came to this country in 1662. 

" To the honoured Governor, deputy Governor and Maiistrates of the 
Massachusetts Colonie — the petition of John Tonton of Rochell in 
France, Doctor Chirurgion, in behalfe of himselfe and others. Humbly 
shewing, that whereas your petitioner with many other protestants, 
who are inhabitants in the said Rotchell, (a list of whose names was 
given to the said honoured Govur) who are for their religion sake, 
outted and expelled from their habitations and dwellings in Rotchell 



520 'The Records of Oxford. 

France* aforesaid, he, your said petitioner humbly craveth, for himselfe 
and others as aforesd, that they may have liberty to corae heather, here 
to inhabit and abide amongst the English in this Jurisdiction, and to 
follow such honest indeavours & ymploymts, as providence hath or 
shall direct thera unto, vyhereby they may get a livelihood and that they 
might have so much favour from the Govmt. here, as in some measure 
to be certayne of their residence here before they undertake the voyage, 
and what priviledges they may expect here to have, that so accordingly 
as they find incoridgmt for further progress herein, they may dispose 
of their estates of Rotchell, where they may not have any longer contin- 
uance. Thus humbly craveing you would be pleased to consider of the 
premisses, and your petitioner shall forever pray for your happinesse." 

" 15(8) 1G62 The Deputyes thinke meete to graunt this pet, our 
honble magistes consenting thereto. William Torrey." 

" Consented to by y magists. Edw. Rawson Secret, cleric." 

Massachusetts, Archives, Vol. X. p. 208. 

In 1661 an old provision of the royal decree for the reduction of the 
city of La Rochelle, after the siege, hitherto unexecuted, was brought 
to notice, and carried into effect. This article prohibited all persons 
professing the "Pretended Reformed Religion" from being admitted 
as inhabitants of La Rochelle, unless they had resided there previously, 
and before the landing of Buckingham from England, sent to relieve 
the city in July, 1627. 

The article was now confirmed by a civil ordinance, and in the month 
of November it was proclaimed with sound of trumpet through the 
streets of La Rochelle. Fifteen days were allowed to those whom it 
might concern for their removal from within the city limits, and warn- 
ing was given that in case of disobedience they would assess a heavy 
fine, to be enforced, if necessary, by means of distraint and public sale 
of their effects. 

Peter"* Shumway of Oxford, born in 1735, stated to Rev. Abial Flolmes, 
D.D., in 1825, that his great-grandfather, Peter Shumway, came from 
France and was a Huguenot. All persons who bore the name of Shum- 
way in Oxford, into the present century, were known by the name of 
Jermer, the orthography of the name of " Germaine." W. T. Shumway 
of Webster recalls that his father was known by the name of Jermer, 
and so received the daily salutations of his friends. In the Huguenot 
settlement of Oxford, in 1687, Capt. Germaine and his sons are known 
on the records of the French settlement of Oxford as Germon, Jermon 
or Jermer, with the exception of Charles, who removed from Oxford to 
New Rochelle, N. Y., he retained the name of Germaine. 

* The list of names is not found with this record. 



Biographical Sketches. 52 1 

In regard to the French extraction of the Shumway family there has 
been much interest for the hist half century as to the origin of the 
present form of the name, as Shumway is not a French name, neither 
can it be identified as English or German. The name has evidently 
been transformed as have been many names of the Huguenots in this 
country and in Europe. The name of Germaine is known only in Pari- 
sian French while the name in Provincial French is Germon, Jermou or 
Jermer, as in Canada. The name of Shumway is not found in lists of 
Huguenot exiles copied from Boston Suffolk Records, South Carolina 
and New York Records, in Agnew's French Protestant Exiles, London, 
1871. The author of that book introduces lists of Huguenot refugees 
during the reigns of Charles II., James II., William and Mary, and 
William III. Copies from the Patent Rolls. The Camden Society Lists 
are from copies belonging to the late Mr. Peter Levesque. The Cam- 
den Society volume, entitled Lists of Foreign Protestants and Aliens 
Resident in England, 1618-1688, edited by William Durant Cooper, 
London, 1862. 

Amos Shumway, the youngest son of Peter, who came from Topsfield to 
Oxford in 1713, and grandson of Peter the Huguenot, resided ou Long Hill, 
near the farm of William Hudson, in Oxford. Mr. Shumway died May, 1818, 
aged 06. In conversation with the family of the late Rodolphus Edson he 
stated to them the original French name of Shumway was Germaine.— A remi- 
niscence of the late Bradford G. Edson, who recently deceased, aged 91 years. 

The landed estate of Peter Shumway, the son of Peter the Huguenot, 
included the Josiah Russell place. He married second, Feb., 1740, 
Mary Dana. 

Jeremiah, son of Peter* of Oxford, married Experience, the daughter 
of Isaac Earned. His residence was with his father, in 1755 he 
exchanged his estate with his brother-in-law, Isaac Earned, Jr., and 
resided on Jansen plain, near the site of the Jansen house. His son 
Peter succeeded him on his estate and subsequently it became the resi- 
dence of his grandson, Peter Shumway. Jeremiah Shumway removed 
to Long Hill and there died. 

Solomon, son of Jeremiah,^ born Feb. 19, 1747, married, Nov., 1768, 
Dorothy Howard of Killingly, Conn., and became a resident of that 
place. Jeremiah, a son, born 1780, married, 1803, Huldah, a daughter 
of Luke Upham of Thompson, Conn. Hammond, their son, married 
Roby T. Newall; resided at Thompson. William T. Shumway, their 
son, of Webster, merchant; and Solomon, deputy sherifl" of Webster. 

David, son of Peter' of Oxford, in 1733 purchased one-fiftieth of the 
grant for the towil of Stui-bridge, where he resided and became a 
gentleman of influence. He was baptized Dec, 1705; died May, 1796, 
aged 91 years. 



522 The Reco7'ds of Oxford. 

Lieut. Samuel Shumway, son of Peter' of Oxford, baptized April, 
1711, became a resident of Sturbridge, married Sarah, daughter of Isaac 
Larned of Oxford. He died Sept., 1800, aged 89 years. 

Oliver Shumway, a son of Peter' of Oxford, received from his father 
an estate on Long Hill, married Sarah Pratt, daughter of Jonathan 
Pratt, married second Elizabeth Holman of Sutton. Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Holman) Shumway taught a dame school. 

Jacob Shumway, son of Peter,' resided on Long Hill. 

John, son of Peter' of Oxford, married Mary Dana, made a settlement 
in Oxford, southwest of the North Common, on a plantation of 50 acres 
presented to him by his father. The original house was west of an 
ancient house, still to be seen (1893), opposite to the late Josiah Rus- 
sell estate. This landed estate was once the residence of Phinehas 
Dana, subsequently the home of Rev. William Phipps, where he died, 
long known as the Solomon Walker farm. John Shumway died Jan., 
1810, aged 96. 

Lieut. Jonathan Davis of Oxford married, May 7, 1815, Elizabeth, 
daughter of Benjamin and Betsey Gilbert of Brooklyn, Ct. Benjamin 
Gilbert was a lineal descendant of Jonathan Gilbert of Hartford, Ct. 
Jonathan Gilbert, " a brave and honest gentleman," "a Devonshire man," 
a bachelor landholder, was a resident of Hartford, Ct., in 1645. He mar- 
ried Mary, a daughter of John White. In a second marriage to Mary, 
a daughter of Francis Colraan, by her first marriage to Hugh Welles, 
one of the founders of Hartford. Mrs. Gilbert was the niece of Rev. 
and Hon. Tliomas Welles, Governor of Connecticut, who died at Hart- 
ford, January, 1660, aged 62 years. This Welles family was a branch 
of the noble family of Welles in Lincolnshire, who were barons of the 
realm. 

About 1640 Mr. Gilbert arrived from England and was a resident of Dor- 
chester, Mass. The Dorchester, Taunton and Connecticut Gilberts were of 
one ancestry. Both families had intermarried with the Rossiter family, dis- 
tinguished in England and in the colonies. 

Mr. Gilbert by grants of the General Court and by purchase had 
acquired large tracts of land. In 1653 he received a grant of land " at the 
common landing place in the little meadow [at Hartford] to set up a ware- 
house," which afterward became a station for considerable conmierce, 
in which Mr. Pynchon, of " up the river," Springfield, was largely inter- 
ested, and imported many goods from abroad, as associated with Mr. 
Gilbert. 

In March, 1653, a special warrant was granted to him as marshal 
"with power to rayse such considerable forces as he sees meete" for 
the arrest of parties. He was engaged in the trade and coasting busi- 



Biographical Sketches. 533 

ness of the young colonies and was collector of the customs at Hart- 
ford. 

In 1654 the Coramissioners of the English colonies appointed Jonathan 
Gilbert a messenger to Ninigrete, the chief of the Narragansetts. Mr. 
Gilbert being familiar with the Indian language was an interpreter 
between the Indians and the English government. He rendered im- 
portant service in the subsequent Indian wars and difficulties, by his 
facility in their language and his resolute bravery. Gookin states that, 
"Uncas, a principal Sachem, lived at or about Pequot, now called New 
London, he was hostile to his neighbors the Narragansetts." Gilbert 
was engaged in these perilous negotiations. 

In August, 1661, " The Court granted to Mr. Gilbert a farm in Hart- 
ford to y<= number of 300 acres of vpland and 50 Acres of meadow pro- 
vided it be not preiuditiall to any other plantation." After this period 
he was for several years elected to the office of "Marshall "and was 
occasionally a representative to the legislature, but his chief attention 
was given to the improvement of his estate and the care of his family. 

In Nov., 1659, Mr. Gilbert was appointed to compel the payment from 
the Farraington Indians of the annual sum which was due from the two 
years past, "amounting to the full summe of eighty faddome of wam 
pum," " well strunged and merchantable." This was in satisfaction for 
damages from a fire occasioned by them. 

Jonathan Gilbert died Dec. 10, 1682, aged 64. Mrs. Mary (Welles) 
Gilbert died July 3, 1700, aged 74. Their gravestones are in the old 
burying-ground at Hartford. Mr. Gilbert in his will gives ten pounds 
to his grandchild, John Rossiter (his daughter Mary married John 
Rossiter, the eldest son of Dr. Brayen Rossiter), and also his grandson, 
Andrew Belcher. Andrew Belcher of Boston, "the most oppulent 
merchant of his time," had married Sarah, a daughter of Jonathan 
Gilbert of Hartford, Ct., July, 1670. Mr. Belcher was born in Cam- 
bridge, Mass., 1(147, was of Boston 1677, died 1717, aged 70 years. 

Hon. Jonathan, a son, was born 1681, graduated at Harvard University 
1699, was Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire 1730-1741, 
Governor of New Jersey 1747-1757, died in August, 1759. 

Captain Blackwell of England, a member of Parliament, who Avas a large 
proprietor of land in Oxford, Mass., obt;iiued a separate grant (date 1686) of 
laud which afterwards became a part of the town of Pomfret, Ct., when 
incorporated 1713. This large estate Blackwell had named Mortlake, the name 
of the place a few miles out of London, where Gen. Lambert of Cromwell's 
army had resided, the father-in-law of Blackwell. Capt. Blackwell's heirs 
conveyed this valuable estate of Mortlake to Gov. Jonathan Belcher. 

From \.'hQ ''Independent Advertiser r Boston: "AVe hear from Burlington 
in New Jersey, that his Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Governor of the 



524 The Records of Oxford. 

Province, was married there on the 9th day of this month (October, 1748) to 
Mrs. Teal, a lady of great merit and a handsome fortune." 

Thomas, a son of Jonathan Gilbert by his second marriage to Mary Welles, 
chose a maritime life, influenced by his brother-in-law, Andrew Belcher, who 
frequently visited the Connecticut river with his vessels for trade. Gilbert 
soon commanded one of his ships. The remains of Capt. and Mrs. Mary 
(Trowbridge) Gilbert rest in the Granary burial-ground in Boston. 

Note. In an old record, 1093, is found the marriage of Jonathan Dowse and 
Elizabeth Gilbert. 

Note. The Dows or Dowse family in America, descendants of Lawrence 
Dows [of Charlestown, Mass., 1640]. 

"In IGOS the worshipful Sir John Gilbert, ended his life July 5, and was 
brought from London to his mansion house at Compton the IGth of the same 
month and buried in Maridon church July 19. He practiced arms agreeably 
to the brave spirit of his ancestors. Was held an Expert and soldier even in 
his younger years wherein he expired and was taken away when he gave not 
only hope but full assurance of great sufficiency to do his prince and country 
service." 

" Sir John and his younger brother, Capt. Rawley Gilbert, were nephews to 
Sir Humphrey." 

The family of Gilbert is very ancient, "It is written on the Roll of 
Battle Abbey, T. Gilbard." [Thomas Gilbert.] " The name is found in 
the conqueror's book of survey amouEj the Tenures of Devon." Greeu- 
way, the ancient seat of the Gilberts or Jilberts of knightly rank. 
" The county of Devons says at Marledon on the river Darte is a chapel 
built by the ancestors of the Gilberts," " who have an ancient monu- 
ment there; one of them lieth in the church with his wife, their propor- 
tions cut into stone." 

It is said this family of Gilbert were remotely of the same ancestry of Sir 
Humphrey Gilbert. " From Thomas Gilbert of Compton many stems of the 
old stock branched off." About 1604 John Gilbert left Compton and settled at 
Blechington, County of Essex. In 1609 to John Gilbert of Woodford, Essex 
were confirmed these arms : Ar. on a chev, betw. three leopards faces sa, as 
many roses or. 

Coat of arms of the Gilbert family of Devonshire: Ar on a chev sa three 
roses of the first. Crest a dolphin, naivant embowed. 

Col. Thomas Gilbert, born 1715, at Taunton, sou of Nathaniel and 
Hannah (Bradford) Gilbert, descended from John Gilbert of Dorches- 
ter, then Taunton, the lineage being Thomas of Taunton married Jane 
Rossiter; Thomas, Jr., of Taunton, married Anna Black; Nathaniel, 
born 1683, at Taunton. John Gilbert was from Devonshire, Eng. He 
was in New England previously to 163G, though his name is not men- 
tioned by Hottou in his book of arrivals. He represented Taunton to 



Biographical Sketches. 525 

the Great and General Court in 1639. Winnifred, his wife, survived 
him. 

Col. Gilbert ou the maternal side was in lineal descent from William Brad- 
ford, the second Governor of Plymouth Colony, from Austerfield, England. 

In the first settlement of Taunton, with other gentlemen, is included 
the name of John Gilbert, Senior, with his two sons, John and Thomas, 
and Hugh Rossiter, whose daughter, Thomas, son of John, Senior, mar- 
ried. This was the first marriage of the Taunton and Connecticut 
Gilberts with the Rossiter family. Thomas Gilbert in 1651 was elected 
to the General Court from Taunton, in 1G53 he went to England where 
he died in 1676. Jane, his wife, remained at Taunton, where she 
received the news of his decease. 

Mr. Edward Rossiter sailed from Plymouth, England, March 20, 1630. 
He had been chosen in London an assistant, Oct. 20, 1629, when Win- 
throp was first chosen Governor and Johuson, Saltonstall, Dudley, 
Endicott and thirteen other assistants of the Colony of the Massachu- 
setts Bay, N. E. He had a good estate in the County of Somerset or 
Devon. He died in Oct., 1630. "His early removal was a great 
aflliction to the Colony." 

Dr. Bray or Bryan Rossiter or Rocester of Guilford, Ct., arrived in 
Boston in 1630. It would appear he was a brother of Edward. He was 
for a time a resident of Windsor, Ct., and the first town clerk, 1639. 

It is said that the son of Mr. Edward Rossiter, Assistant to the 
Colony, lived at Combe, England, at the time he came to this country, 
and his grandson lived at Taunton, S. Somerset. 

Thomas Rossiter came to this country 1633, was of Taunton 1643. 
Hugh of Dorchester Mass. Bay 1635. 

Col. Gilbert in 1745 as a captain fought under Sir William Pepperell 
at the famous seige of Louisburg. He was in the French war of 1755 
under Brig.-Gen. Ruggles. Col. Gilbert was with the victorious forces 
that took possession of Crown Point after Gen. Amherst had subdued 
Ticonderoga. At Lake George Baron Dieskan led the French army 
against the English forces. Col. Williams who commanded the regiment 
of which Gilbert was Lieut. -Col. was slain and the latter became its 
commanding office. 

Maj. John Burke in his journal while at Lake Sacrament, now Lake George, 
Sept. 11, 1755, giving an account of the battle of Lake George, he mentions the 
arrival of several oflicers, among them the name of Col. Thomas Gilbert. 

Previously to the commencement of the Revolutionary vpar Gen. 
Gage knowing the services of Col. Gilbert to England in the French 
war requested him to rally the loyalists of New England to be true to 
King George the Third. Gilbert knowing his position to be hopeless 



526 The Records of Oxford. 

repaired to Newport and went on board the Bose, an English vessel 
whose commandant it is said received him most graciously. From 
Newport he proceeded at once to Boston, where he was received with 
honor by the English officers. The British Admiral feared for the 
safety of his vessels ; lie communicated with Lord Howe the necessity to 
evacuate. The English troops then boarded the fleet and sailed for 
Halifax. From his loyalty to George III. Gilbert left his home and a 
large estate, but his losses were more than restored to him by the 
mother couutry. His subsequent home was on the river St. John, 
New Brunswick. In 1784, Mrs. Mary Gilbert in a letter written to her 
friends in New England is dated from Gilbert's Point, St. Mary's Bay. 
His possessions received from the King were mostly in Sun bury and 
Queen's Counties. Col. Gilbert's sons were in sympathy with him and 
retired to the British Provinces. Col. Gilbert is named as the father of 
the distinguished and wealthy family in Nova Scotia. He died in 1796 
aged 82 years. 

Extract from the will of Col. Thomas Gilbert, dated Oct. 29, 1795, 
Gagetown, Province of New Brunswick: " 2dly. I give and bequeath 
to my Eldest son Thomas Gilbert of Burton in the county of Suubury 
and Province aforesaid Esq. all the Island called Majors Island laying 
in the River St. John on which he now dwells ... I also Give and 
Bequeath to ray said son all the Land and Buildings which I have 
Either by Grant or Purchase which I have and hold in the Province of 
Nova Scotia, he to have and Hold the same Lands, his heirs and assigns 
forever. 

"Thirdly I give and bequeath to my second sou Perez Gilbert of 
Gagetown in Queens County afore s'd all the Island called Grimos 
Island with all the lands on Grimos neck with all the high upland." 

He also gives to his third son, Bradford, of the City of St. John, all 
his lands in the township of Sheffield and other tracts of valuable 
lauded estate. Col. Gilbert's possessions received from the King were 
mostly in Sunbnry and Queen's Counties. Several of the descendants 
of Thomas Gilbert have been members of the English Parliament. 

Col. Thomas Gilbert was of a distinguished English family of the 
County of Devon and was remotely allied to the family of Sir Humphrey 
Gilbert. Tradition states that it was on account of his ancestry as well 
as for his loyalty that King George III. extended to him so liberally his 
protection. 

There is a letter of Col. Thomas Gilbert bearing date, " Gagetown, 
Province of New Brunswick, 25th July, 1795, signed your great-grand- 
father, Thomas Gilbert, in the 81st year of his age." This letter was 
addressed to Ephraira Gilbert Edson, his great-grandson, and is in the 
possession of his heirs. 



Biographical Sketches. 527 

Lemuel Crane, Esq., of Berkley, a landholder and lawyer, became a 
resident of Oxford in 1780. He was married, Dec, 1759, to Bathsheba, 
daughter of Col. Thomas Gilbert. Mr. Crane in the Revolution was a 
loyalist in favor of King George III. In Oxford he purchased the 
landed estate of Darius Chase of Freetown, who had the estate of 
Anthony Sigourney, which is situated two miles distant from the old 
North Common. The mother of Mr. Crane became a resident of 
Oxford. 

Mrs. Hannah (Adams) Crane was a very superior lady and possessed 
with a refined taste. She was extremely fond of needlework and 
wrought lace and embroidery with ease, and when quite elderly she 
would be seen with her needlework passing from window to window of 
her apartment to avail herself from any ray of the parting sunset. She 
died in Oxford and was buried in the churchyard near the South Com- 
mon. Tradition states Mrs. Hannah (Adams) Crane was in lineage of 
the same ancestry as Henry Adams from England, who became a resi- 
dent of Braintree, now Quincy. 

The Braintree or Quincy branch of the Adams family are descended from 
John Ap Adam of England, Baron of the Realm, who was from 1296 to 1307 
summoned to Parliament. The family is of Welsh origin and the prefix " Ap " 
signifies the son of Adam. The Welsh form of Ap Adam fell into disuse in 
the 15th century being anglicized to Adams. 

The arms of Henry Adams of Braintree : Argent, on a cross Gules 
five Mullets or. Crest : Cut of a Ducal Coronet, or a demi Lion attVonte 
gules. 

" In the uper part of a Gothic window on the south east side of Tiden- 
ham Church near Chopston Eng. The name of Johes Ap Adam 1310 
in old English, and Arms as above are still (1851) to be found beauti- 
fully executed in stained glass of great thickness and in perfect preser- 
vation." — Notes of C. F. Adams, Jr. 

Amidown. 

It was during the siege of La Rochelle that many of these Huguenots 
escaped to England, among whom was the ancestor of the family of 
Aimedoune. 

Roger Aimedoune of England, being in sympathy with the Puritans, 
embarked among the first colonists for a new colony in New England, 
so found Massachusetts. 

He arrived at Salem, then known by its Indian name of Naumkeag. 
Roger Aimedoune thus became the ancestor of all of this name in 
America. He subsequently removed from Salem to Weymouth, then to 
Boston, where the birth of their daughter Lydia is recorded. Then he 



528 The Records of Oxford. 

removed to Rehoboth, then in Plymouth colony, where he died in 1673. 
Then his descendants became, among others, the early planters of 
Mendon, and from thence to Oxford. 

On the Church Records, at its formation, January 18, 1721, Philip 
Amidown and his wife are included as communicants. He died in 
Oxford. 

Among the early records of Oxford is found the birth of a daughter 
of Philip and Ithama Amidown, viz. : Hannah, born Feb. 2, 1718, also 
Henry Amidown married Millatia Cheeny March 31, 1718. There is 
also the record of the marriage of Benjamin Chainberlin, Jr., one of the 
first landed proprietors of Oxford, to Mary Amidown, July 8, 1728. 

The original name of Aimedoune has been changed by the descendants 
"to Amidon, Aiuadon and Amidown. However spelled, the name is 
traced to Roger Aimedoune." — Holmes' Amidown. 

Philip, a descendant of Roger Amidown, came from Mendon to 
Oxford, 1717. He was a gentleman of good estate and was much 
esteemed and interested In public affairs. 

Jeremiah Amidown married Elizabeth Martin of Douglas, Feb., 
1769. Children of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Martin) Amidown: Mary 
Bathsheba, Elizabeth, Lucy, Isaac, Mary, born August 29, 1773, mar- 
ried Elihu Harwood, Lois, Sarah, Jeremiah, born March 31, 1779, 
Samuel, Lurania, born Feb., 1786 ; she was married to Lyman Wetherell, 
April 2G, 1807. 

Jeremiah, born March 31, 1779, removed to Charlton, married Abigail 
Harwood, Oct. 7, 1801. Jeremiah Amidown died May 31, 1812. 

Elizabeth, widow of Jeremiah Amidown, died Oct. 10, 1826. 

Samuel Amidown married Lucy Humphrey Aug. 28, 1809. 

Lyman Wetherell was born in Dudley — see Dudley Records. The 
family trace their ancestry to Rev. William Wethei-ell of Scituate, who 
was established there as a clergyman in 1658 and died in 1684. 

Elihu Harwood of Sutton married Mary or Molly, daughter of Jere- 
miah and Elizabeth Amidown, April, 1795, of Oxford. Child, Elihu. 

The ancestors of Elihu Harwood of Sutton were from Salem, Mass., 
some of whom had become land proprietors in Sutton on its first settle- 
ment. In 1725, in the Sutton Records, the name of Col. Jonathan 
Harwood is noticeable as a gentleman of high position. The town of 
Sutton voted that the school land be all sold, reserving the 30-acre lot, 
and that the money should be put out for the benefit of a school forever. 
Colonel Harwood entered his dissent against the school land being sold. 

David and Solomon Harwood of Sutton and Oxford were of the same 
ancestry in Sutton and Salem. Reubeu Harwood was the son of Solomon 
Harwood ; he was married to Hannah Hurd. 



Biographical Sketches. 529 

At the close of the Revolution, in 1783, it became necessary for the 
confederated States of America to devise plans for a revenue to pay the 
debt incurred by the war and to meet the current expenses of govern- 
ment (there being then no system by duties or imposts upon the foreign 
merchandise imported into the country). A resort to direct taxation, 
or a system of internal revenue, in some respects like the present one 
following the late Rebellion, was adopted. The records of the Senate 
in Massachusetts show that on the 10th of February, 1783, it was ordered 
that Ephraim Starkweather and John Baron, Esqs., be a committee to 
collect, sort and count the votes for a collector of excise for the county 
of Worcester, who reported that the whole number of votes was eigh- 
teen, and that Caleb Amidown, Esq., of Charlton, was unanimously 
elected. He was continued in that oflice until after the revenue system 
was established by imports under the Constitution, about ten years. 

The Hon. Emory Washburn, late Governor of Massachusetts, in a 
historical sketch of Leicester Academy refers to Caleb Amidown as a 
benefactor to that institution. 

He was engaged by the government in the confiscated estates of the 
refugees of the Revolution as a surveyor. 

" For many years he was a member of the Legislature, and as such was 
a warm supporter of the government during the ' Shays Rebellion,' as 
it was called. 

" Among other responsible ofiices he was called to fill was that of an 
excise master for the County of Worcester, after the close of the Revo- 
lution." 

The late Hon. Salem Town, of Charlton, ever mentioned Caleb 
Amidown with great respect. 

Gen. Town had served as a surveyor in various towns of Worcester 
county under Caleb Amidown, who was extensively known in that 
respect. 

Through his services as surveyor and conveyancer a large portion of 
the most ancient deeds of land in the towns of this vicinity, Charlton, 
Dudley, Oxford and Sturbridge, are found in his handwriting in clear 
and concise drafts and fine specimen of penmanship. 

Philip Amidown and wife, of Oxford, were the grandparents of 
Caleb Amidown, Esq., of Charlton, who was grandfather of Holmes 
Amidown and the late Hon. Ebeuezer Amidown, the cousins of Holmes 
Amidown. Ebenezer Davis, Esq., born in Oxford, Sept. 18, 1737, 
became a resident of Charlton. He was married, Jan. 10, 1802, to Mrs. 
Hannah (Sabin), widow of Caleb Amidown of Charlton, now South- 
bridge. She died March 20, 1820. 

Maj. Calvin Amidown, the son of Caleb Amidown, was married to 



53o The Records of Oxford. 

Deborah, the daughter of Ebenezer Davis, Esq., of Charlton. Mr. 
Amidown was one of the executors of the estate of Ebenezer Davis, 
Esq, 

Major Amidown was a man of character, intelligence aud enterprise; 
justice of the peace, major of militia; one of the leading men in the 
management of the Poll parish, at which is now Southbridge, from 1801 
to the incorporation of that towu in 1816, and was efficient in procurinir 
the act of the Legislature establishing the town ; was its representative 
in the Legislature in 1821. 

Of him Hon. Linus Child wrote : "To his energy and enterprise more 
than to any other single individual was the town of Southbridge indebted 
for the commencement and vigorous prosecution of the business of the 
cotton manufacture and other important business enterprises which 
have contributed so much to the prosperity of the town." 

Major Amidown was boru in Charlton, June 21, 17G8; died Jan. 5, 
1825.* 

Rawson. 

" At a Generall Cou't of Eleccons held at Boston 22"' of May, 1650 : — 
Edward Rawson, gent., was chosen Secretary." 

Secretary Rawson removed from Newbury to Boston, his residence 
was on Rawson's lane, and here he died, August, 169.3, aged 78. This 
lane bore his name until near 1800, and was then changed to Bromiield 
street. Here he owned some acres of land, which bordered on the 
common. 

Edward Rawson came to New England in the year 1G36 or in 1637 and 
became a resident of Newbury in the colony of Massachusetts Bay. He 
was a grantee of that town. 

Edward Rawson was a communicant in the First Church in Boston. 
Rev. John Wilson was the clergyman. The record says he was one of 
twenty-eight members who left the First Church and formed the Old 
South Church in Boston in May, 1669. 

Grindal Rawson, son of Edward Rawson, graduated at Harvard Uni- 
versity, 1678. He studied divinity, preached his first sermon at Med- 
field. He subsequently became the clergyman of Mendon, Mass. He 
married Susanna, daughter of Rev. John Wilson of Medtleld and the 
granddaughter of Rev. John Wilson, first minister of Boston. He died 
February, 1715. His sou John Rawson^ resided in Uxbridge, Mass. 
John Rawson ■• and his son Joseph were residents of Webster. Secre- 
tary Edward Rawson's mother was Margaret, the sister of Rev. John 
Wilson. 



* Samuel Davis and his Descendants. 



Biographical Sketches. 531 

At the Herald's College or College of Arras for several hundred years 
is the Rawson family. It is composed of an escutcheon, representing 
an old knightly shield, the lower half sable, the upper half azure; in 
centre of the shield a castle, with four towers in gold ; crest, a raven's 
head, black; bearing on the neck drops of gold, one and two; erased, 
on a wreath ; in the beak a ring of gold. The motto underneath, "Laus 
Virtutis Actio," "The deed of bravery is its own praise." 

The most remote ancestor of Edward Rawson, Secretary of the Colo- 
ny of Massachusetts Bay, who has been traced, is Sir Edward Rawson, 
who lived in the reign of one of the Henrys, he is said to have been of 
"great military skill." 

Edward Rawson's letter to Lord Arlington :— 

"Right Honourable Sir, 

"His Majesty's Gracious Letter, directed to the Govouruer 
and Council, Dated, yee 22d Day of February 1G65, was received and 
communicated to yee Court 17 of July, 1666. 

"We do thankful acknowledge his Grace, in Forwarding of our danger 
by the French and Dutch Nations, and to be prepared for our defence, 
while according to our weak ability, we have been endeavoring to fortify 
the coast of Canida. The Council Genrall of Novis Scotia and St. 
John's who has concluded it is not at present feazeble as respects our 
boundry line, I will say however in respect of the difficulty and impossi- 
bility of a land mark over the Rocky Mountains and claimed by your 
Mnjesty's Government, is about four hundred miles, as the line drawn 
through straight, as you have expected. 

"His Majesty's Declaration of War against France is enclosed. It 
was Solemnly published through this Land by the Sound of Trumpet. 
We have been subject to some Loss, also to some advantage by the 
French and Dutch, about Shipping abroad; and in our smaller vessels 
upon our coast, and have taken two or three vessels, to a considerable 
value— Whereupon some of Ours: by Commission from our hands: 
lately have taken Three or Four, other Fishing Ships upon the coast of 
the Canidas; for the future we shall endeavor by the assistance of God 
to Proceed and defend the Hounourand interest of his Majesty's and the 
English Nation, in these parts, not to give you further trouble at present 
in protecting us. 

" Boston in New England 24 Oct. 16G6. 
"My 

" Lord 

" Your very 

"Humble Servant 

"Edward Rawson." 



532 The Records of Oxford. 

Edward Rawson was born in Gillingham, Dorsetshire, Eoftland, April, 
1615. He was married in England to Rachel, daughter of Thomas Perne 
and granddaughter of John Hooker, who married a sister of Edmund 
Grindal, "the most worthily renowned Archbishop of Canterbury " in 
the reign of Queen Elizabeth.* 

Edmund Grindal, the first Bishop of London after Queen Elizabeth's 
succession to the Crown, Bishop of York and the isecoud Archbishop of 
Canterbury, was born about 1519, in or near the parish of St. Bees, in 
Cumberland. December 21, 1559, Grindal, B. D., being forty years of 
age, was consecrated to the see of London and installed the 23rd. "Now 
did Sir Gilbert Dethick, Kn't, principal King of Arms, honor the Bishop 
with a blazon of arms, to be made use of in all his sealed letters and 
instruments." 

"Shortly after his elevation we find him preaching at various times 
before the Queen, and at St. Paul's cross; and on one of these occasions, 
March 3d, 15G0, there was a mighty audience, for the people were greedy 
to hear the gospel." 

Queen Elizabeth was prejudiced against the Puritans. She issued 
orders for the suppression of their meetings, and expressed her displeas- 
ure to Grindal at the number of preachers licensed in his province, "urg- 
ing that it was good for the world to have few preachers ; that three or 
four might suffice for a county, and that the reading of the homilies to 
the people was enough." 

Against this the venerable prelate remonstrated in decided terras, and, 
in conclusion, exhorted her to remember that she was a mortal creature, 
and accountable to God for the exercise of her power. An order of the 
Star-chamber followed, and the Archbishop was sequestered from the 
exercise of his jurisdiction, and confined to his house six months. 

In 1568 " when the See of York was vacant, Dr. Hutton, the Dean, 
wrote to Cecil, the Secretary, suggesting the qualifications the occupant 
should have; that he should be a teacher, because the country was igno- 
rant; a virtuous and godly man, for the country was given to sift such a 
man's life; a stout and courageous man in God's cause, for the country 
otherwise would abuse him and yet a sober and discreet man, lest too 



*The family relation which existed between Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of 
Canterbury, and the earliest ancestors of Edward llawsou may not be uninter- 
esting. Edmund Grindal was the successor of Bonner in the bishopric of Lon- 
don. "Not willing to proceed to extremeties against the Puritans, he involved 
himself in dissensions with Parker, the then Primate of England. His friend 
and itatron Cecil, foreseeing that trouble might ensue, gladly seized the occasion 
of withdrawing him from the controversy, by transferring him to the bishopric 
of York, in 1570." 



Biographical SketcJies. 533 

much righteousness should harden the hearts of some that by fair means 
might be mollifled, &c. 

"And such a Bishop likewise as was both learned himself and also 
loved learning; that that rude and blind country might be furnished with 
learned preachers. And all these qualities he reckoned centred in Grin- 
dal for, as he added, ' such a man was the Bishop of London known to 
be.'" 

Archbishop Grindal was buried according to his desire, in the chancel 
of Croydon Church. On the south side of the communion table, against 
the wall is his efflgy in stone. It is in a recumbent position, vested in 
his canonical robes with his hands in the posture of prayer. He died in 
1583, aged 63. 

Archbishop Grindal was revered for the primitive virtues of probity, 
sincerity and godly zeal. It was these characteristics which caused him 
to be celebrated in Spenser's " Shepherd's Calendar," in which he is des- 
ignated by the name of "Algriud," being a transposition of the syllables 
of his name. 

BONDET. 

The Rev. Daniel Bondet was born in 1652 ; was educated at Geneva. 
He was descended from a noble family in France, his mother being a 
daughter of Philippe Nautonnier, Sieur de Castelfranc. He espoused a 
most virtuous lady of a ducal family in France. Of him Quick wrote : 

"This gentleman preaches in three languages unto three several- 
nations, 'English, French and Indian.'" Mr. Bondet was a gentleman 
of education, refinement and great strength of character. — Agnew's 
Prot. Exiles from France, 11, 164. 

On the revocation of the Edict of Nautes he fled from France to Eng- 
land in early life, being only thirty-three years of age ; here he received 
holy orders from the Right Rev. Henry Compton, Lord Bishop of Lon- 
don, and soon after accompanied the French emigrants who arrived at 
Boston in the summer of 1686, and subsequently to New Oxford in 
1687. 

The French Protestant clergy educated at Geneva were distinguished 
for their learning. Governor Burnet of New York, the son of Bishop 
Burnet of England, was much censured for his partiality to the Hugue- 
nots. But being a gentleman well educated he could appreciate their 
merits and their refinement of manuers. 

Rev. Daniel Bondet in a letter to Lord Cornbury, dated 1702, states 
that he accompanied these French Protestants to the Oxford settlement 
from England, 



534 The Records of Oxford. 

[D. Bondet to Increase Mather.'] 

"New York, the 10 Jan., 1697-8. 

" It is an old and innocent custom to use words of congratulation at 
the revolution of the year; we are as travellers in the world, and the 
use * * * to the fellow-travellers * * * quid ni in curriculo vitce. We 
are well come then so far, and be the Almighty pleased to attend the 
remaining of your travel with His protection and blessing. Grace be 
with you, and with peace upon your family, and upon the land which 
you are serving so graciously. 

" Also the same I wish heartily to your fellow laborers in the ministry 
at Boston, to whom I present my respect, commending my person and 
labors to their Godly remembrances. 

"I have writ to his Honor Mr. Stoughton for to receive the annual 
subvention assigned to rae from the corporation of which your honora- 
ble court hath assured the coutinuation in my need. I shall not repeat 
here that your * * * reverence hath already heard from me, if I have 
any kind and comforting word to expect from your reverence, I pray 
you direct it to the Rev. Mr. Selyns, your worthy friend the minister of 
York. I remain with a true and sincere respect of your reverence the 
most humble and obliged servant. 

"Daniel Bondet." 

[Addressed, "For the Reverend Master Increase Mather, President 
of the College and Mr. of Divinity, Boston."]* 

[Z>. Bondet to Lord Cornbimj, 1702.] 
"My Lord. 

"I most humbly pray your Excellency to be pleased to take cogni- 
zance of the petitioner's condition. I am a French Refugee Minister, 
incorporated into the body of the Ministry of the Anglican Church. I 
removed about fifteen years ago into New England, with a company of 
poor refugees, to whom lands were granted for their settlement, and to 
provide for my substance I was allowed one hundred and live pieces per 
annum, from the funds of the Corporation for the Propagation of the 
Gospel among the Savages. I performed that duty during nine years 
with a success approved and attested by those who presided over the 
affairs of that Province. The murders which the Indians committed in 
those countries caused the dispersion of our company, some of whom 
fell by the hands of the barbarians. 

" I remained after that two years in that Province expecting a favora- 
ble season for the re-establishraent of affairs : but after waiting two 
years seeing no appearance and being invited to this Province of New 

*Mas8. Arch., Ivii., 59. 



Biographical Sketches. 535 

York by Col. Heathcote who always evinces an affection for the public 
good and distinguishes himself by a special application for the advance- 
ment of religion and good order by the establishment of churches and 
schools, the fittest means to strengthen and encourage the people, I 
complied with his request, and that of the company of New Rochelle in 
this Province where I passed five years on a small allowance promised 
me by New Rochelle, of one hundred pieces and lodging, with that of 
one hundred and five pieces which the corporation continued to me 
until the arrival of my Lord Bellemont, who, after indicating his will- 
ingness to take charge of me and my canton, ordered me thirty pieces 
inlihe Council of York, and did me the favor to promise me that, at his 
journey to Boston, he would procure me the continuation of that stipend 
that I had in times past. But having learned at Boston through M. 
Nanfan, his Lieutenant, that I annexed my signature to an ecclesiastical 
certificate which the churches and pastors of this Province had given 
to Sieur Delius minister of Albany, who had not the good fortune to 
please his late lordship, his defunct Excellency cut off his thirty pieces 
which he had ordered me in his Council at York, deprived me of the 
Boston pension of twenty-five pieces, writing to London to have that 
deduction approved and left me during three years last past in au 
extreme destitution of the means of subsistence. 

"I believe, my Lord that in so important service as that in which I 
am employed, I ought not to discourage myself, and that the Providence 
of God which does not abandon those who have recourse to His aid by 
well doing, would provide in its time for my relief. 

"Your Excellency's equity, the affection you have evinced to us for 
the encouragement of those who employ themselves constantly and 
faithfully in God's service, induce me to hope that I shall have a share 
in the dispensation of your justice, to relieve me from my suflering, so 
that I may be aided and encouraged to continue my service in which by 
duty and gratitude I shall continue with my flock to pray God for the 
preservation of your person, of your illustrious family, aud the pros- 
perity of your government. 

"Remaining your Excellency's humble and most respectful servant. 

" Daniel Bondet." 

The first French church, du St. Esprit, at New Rochelle in 1692-3, 
was constructed of wood and stood close to the old Boston post-road. 
The French church, du St. Esprit, had two doors, behind which boxes 
were placed to receive the contributions of the people. At the conclu- 
sion of the services the minister would add, " Souvenez vous les 
pauvres" (Remember ye the poor), upon which, every person on going 
out the church, dropped a copper into the box. The next morning the 



53^ The Records of Oxford. 

poor gathered for their share of the money. A large loaf of bread would 
be purchased for four coppers, so that this money supplied the poor for 
one week. 

They had also, a piece of land forty paces square for a church-yard to 
bury their dead.* 

Rev. David Bonrepos, D.D., was the first French minister of New 
Rochelle, N. Y. 

In the common apartments of the houses of the French refugees at 
New Rochelle, the mantelpiece was furnished with Dutch tiles, con- 
taining chiefly the history of the New Testament and the Parables. 
The children were taught by these tiles on Sunday evenings the Bible 
history. 

Among the pew-holders at New Rochelle in 1708, there is the name of 
Benjamin Faneuil, and, also, of Alexandre Allaire. 

A new church was commenced at New Rochelle in 1710, built of stone, 
only one story in height and very plain in its appearance. 

The society's abstracts say : That Mr. Bondet's congregation at New 
Rochelle, has a competent number of communicants, and meets for 
divine service, not only on Sabbath days, but all others appointed by 
the church.— New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. i., pp. 
216, 217. (Hawks.) 

" In consideration of the great learning and piety of Monsieur Bondet, 
they have augmented his salary, 1711-12, from £30 to £50." 

Oct. 17, 1716, The Hon. Col. Nicholson was pleased at his parting to 
leave in the hands of Rev. Mr. Vesey, rector of the church in New York, 
a bill of £20 to be distributed among the ministers of the Province, who 
being in convention in New York, it was decided that the gift should be 
disposed to Mr. Bondet. 

Mr. Bondet to the secretary. 

New Rochelle, Oct. 17, 1716. 

I was remitting my pretension to the gift to procure glass to our 
church, which Mr. Vesey liked very well. — New York MSS., from 
archives at Fulham, vol. i., pp. 512, 513. 

The Wlll of the Rev. Daniel Bondet. 

" In the name of God, Amen. The four and twentieth day of Mai'ch, 
one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two, I Daniel Bondet, minister 
of the Gospel, of New Rochelle, being sick in body but of good and 
perfect memory, thanks be to Almighty God, and calling to remem- 
brance the uncertain state of this transitory life, and that all flesh must 

*In the rear of the present church at New Rochelle is the old burial-place of 
the French refugees. 



biographical Sketches. c;27 

yield unto death, when it shall please God to call ; do make, constitute, 
ordain and declare this my last Will and Testament, in manner and 
form following; Revoking and Annulling by these presents, all and 
every Testament and Testaments, Will and Wills heretofore by me 
made and declared, either by word or writing, and this is to be taken 
only for my last Will and Testament, and none other. And first, being 
penitent and sorry from the bottom of my heart, for all my sins past, 
most humbly desiring forgiveness for the same, I give and commit my 
soul unto Almighty God, my Saviour and Redeemer, in whom, and by 
the merits of Jesus Christ, I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and 
to have full remission and forgiveness of all my sins, and that my soul 
with my body at the General Day of Resurrection shall rise again with 
joy, and through the merits of Christ, seek and pass in possess and 
Inherit the kingdom of Heaven prepared for his Elect and Chosen. And 
my body to be buried in such a place where it shall please my Executors 
hereafter named to appoint.* 

" And now for the settling of my Temporal Estate, and such Goods, 
Chattels and Debts as it hath pleased God far above my Deserts to 
bestow on me. I do order give and dispose of the same in manner fol- 
lowing; that is to say. First I will that all those Debts and duties that 
I owe in Right or Conscience to any manner of person or persons what- 
soever, shall be and truly contested and paid or ordained to be paid 
within convenient time after my decease by my Executors hereafter 
named. 

"Item— I give bequeath and constitute for my only heirs Lieutenant 
Oliver Besley, Jan., of New Rochelle; desiring him after my decease to 
come and take possession of all my Goods chattels and debts with obli- 
gations which is belonging to me, with a Negro Woman called Toinetta, 
Ready Money, Plates, Jewells, Rings, Household Stufl", Apparels, Uten- 
sils, Brass, Pewter, Bedding and all other of my substance whatsoever 
moveable or immoveable. 

"Item— I do give to Bety Cantin one obligation from Peter, which is 
now in the hand and possession of her Father, Jean Cantin, and that she 
shall have from this present time and hereafter, lawful for her to receive 



*"His mortal remains were interred beneath the chancel floor of the old 
church. 

" Daniel Bondet died sometime in September, 1722, aa:ed sixty-nine years, 
having been nearly twenty-six years minister of this church. 

" As he lived greatly beloved he died greatly lamented." 

In 1717 Mr. Bondet writes the secretary of the society of the death of Jane 
Bondet, his wife, Nov. 12, 1717. " God having crowned the hardships of her 
pilgrimage with an honorable end." 



£J3S The Records of Oxford, 

the said Due, Debt or Interest to her proper use or benefit without 
molestation hereafter from any body whatsoever. 

"Item — I do give to Judith Robinseau, a little Negro Girl, named 
Charlotte, for her proper use and benefit vpithout molestation hereafter 
from any l)ody whatsoever. 

"Item — I do give to the use of the Church of New Rochelle all my 
Books. 

"In witness I have put my hand and seal, this twenty-fourth day of 
March, 1721-2. 

" Daniel Bondet." [seal] 
Sealed and signed in 
presence of us. 

Isaac Merciek, 
Aman Guyons, 
Ceaseu F. Suire. 
A letter from Rev. James Laborie to Earl Bellemont. This letter, 
bearing date June 17, 1700, was referred to Col. Heathcote, who after 
inves^tigatiou reported that Bondet's representations were in the main 
true, and that he was in New Oxford aboui. eight years, during which 
time, as appeared by a certificate of Lieut. -Gov. Stoughton, Increase 
Mather and others, "he with great faithfullness care & industry dis- 
charged his duty both to Xtians and Indians, and was of unblemished 
reputation."* 

Moore and Barton. 

"January y 24 17{f. The Proprietors upon an adjournment from 
December the 25 : 1716 being meet together adjourned y" Meeting to 
January y 25 1716 The Proprietors Being meet January y" 25: 17}? 
Voted in y affirmative that Capt Richard Moore shall be an associat 
with the grantors in Oxford village upon y Right of m' Samuel Hag- 
bourn " — Oxford Records. 



*Samuel Hackburn or Hagborn from tlie Bay Colony, son of Samuel of Rox- 
bury, was distinguished in the first settlement of the English in Oxford; his 
mother had married second Gov. Thomas Dudley. On the decease of his 
father Mr. Hagburn received a handsome estate; in 1709 he was at Oxford 
looking after the interests of his half-brother, Gov. Joseph Dudley. He was 
the first in the list of grantees; his phintation east side of Main street em- 
braced the meadows on Mill brook and quite an extent of lands improved by 
the Huguenots, with several houses. In August, 1714, he removed from 
Oxford; after the settlement of the Englisli he became a resident of Taunton, 
and died in 1725. From his relation to Dudley he appears to have done much 
in planning the settlement of Oxford, the soliciting of persons who became 
residents, laying out of public ways, etc. He selected for his plantation one of 
the best locations in the village; erected for the time an elegant residence and 
for many years it remained noticeable for its gambrel roof and extensive front 
lawn reaching to Main street, shaded with fine elm trees. 



Biographical Sketches. 539 

The Hagburn estate was on the east side of South Main street and 
included the land from the mill property to the land owned in the origi- 
nal plautalion of Thomas Gleason and in more modern time of Andrew 
Sigourney, Sen. The Hagburn estate embraced the original estate of 
the heirs of the late Israel Sibley and also included the site of the 
Episcopal Church and its original land on the north to Thomas Glea- 
son's estate. The present residence of the Sibley heirs is very near the 
site of the old mansion of Samuel Hagburn ; afterwards known for many 
years, until 1760, as the tavern of Richard Moore or of his son Elijah, 
and subsequently as the residence of Dr. Alexander Campbell. 

Nov. 22, 1750, at the time Richard Moore, Jr., deeded his part of the 
Hagburn estate, east side of Main street, to his brother Elijah, the latter 
quitclaimed to Richard, Jr., 60 acres on the west side of the village 
street. The residence of Richard Moore, on the west side of the main 
street, shaded its lawn by the still famous old oak, was roomy and 
elegant for the time. It is said it was built by Richard Moore, Sen., 
and was occupied by himself and his son Richard, and both died here. 
Marvin, the son of Richard, Jr., succeeded to the estate in Jan. 19, 1776, 
and it was the home of his family until his decease, and then his heirs 
in Feb., 1815, ceased to be the owners of this estate and Samuel Smith 
became the resident and removed the old mansion for one more modern. 
Richard Moore, Esq., of Needham, in ancestry was descended from 
John and Elizabeth of Sudbury in 1643. Jacob, their son, born in 1645, 
married Elizabeth Locker and was the father of Richard, who married 
Mary, daughter of Samuel and Mary Collins of Middletown, Conn. 

Richard Moore, Jr., married Mary, daughter of Col. Ebenezer Learned 
of Oxford, June 16, 1741. Marvin, son of Richard Moore, Jr., succeeded 
his father as an heir to his estate. 

Abijah, son of Richard Moore, graduated at Yale 1726. " So far as 
known the only resident of Central Massachusetts to receive a degree 
under the first charter." He was a physician at Middletown, Conn. 

Richard Moore, Jr., in 1750 removed from the Hagbjrn estate to his 
father's house, the west side of the street at the old oak, at the decease 
of his father he became heir to the estate. He was deputy sheriflf 
several years. He died Dec, 1782. Rulh, a daughter of Richard 
M'jore, married, April, 1774, Gen. Salom Towne of Charlton. William, 
born June, 1752, became a captain in the Revolutionary war, married 
Martha, daughter of Duncan Campbell, Esq. He died Aug. 6, 1819. 

William, son of Richard Moore, Jr., marched in Capt. Crafts' cavalry 
company on Lexington Alarm, was later captain in the U. S. army. 

Richard, son of Marvin Moore, married, May, 1812, Senath, daughter 
of Samuel Hartwell, Esq. She married second, Samuel Smith, a deputy 



540 The Records of Oxford. 

sheriff, a gentleman extensively known in the county of Worcester, who 
purchased the estate of Marvin Moore and it became his residence for 
many years. 

Jonathan, a son of Elijah Moore, ^ was graduated 1761 at Harvard, 
after which he was for two years there a teacher of Greek and Hebrew. 
He became a clergyman. 

Elijah, son of Elijah Moore,' married Jemima, daughter of Josiah 
Kingsbury. He removed to Oneida Co., N. Y. 

Ebenezer, son of Elijah,^ married Sarah, a daughter of Nathan Moore, 
resided at Vassalboro', Me., had a large landed estate and was bailiff to 
Gov. Bowdoiu iu town affairs. He died April, 1817. 

Barton. 

Capt. Stephen Barton, son of Dr. Stephen and Dorothea (Learned) 
Barton of Oxford, " at twenty one" joined a body of recruits for the 
wars of the western frontiers, then menaced by the Indians. They 
marched on foot from Boston via Philadelphia, then capilol of the 
nation, to Detroit, Mich., the then extreme western frontier, a wilder- 
ness full of Indians. "The main army lay at Detroit under the com- 
mand of 'Mad' Anthony Wayne, ' whose worshipfuU soldier young Bar- 
ton became," serving under untold hardships for three years as a non- 
commissioned, acting and commissioned officer. On his discharge he 
marched home with other officers, taking their way along the line of 
upper Ohio and central New York, both wildernesses. But upon strik- 
ing the Genesee and Mohawk valleys they were so charmed by the 
country that they selected and purchased large tracts of land, as nearly 
as can be ascertained, located somewhere in the vicinity of Rochester. 
I could sincerely wish it had been a few miles further south and he had 
reserved it for his children, but it was later sold as so remote from 
civilization as to be considered useless property." — Reminiscences of 
Clara Barton. 

Capt. Stephen Barton resided at North Oxford, married Sarah, 
daughter of David and Sarah (Treadwell) Stone. Mrs. Barton is said 
to have been a lady pos-sessed of great personal attractions. He was a 
geutleraau of much force of character, strong physique, a clear intellect, 
quick wit, and integrity and manly firmness which rendered him a leader 
among his fellow-citizens, a charitable and kindly disposition. He was 
often in town office. He was a warm patriot and at the beginning of 
the Civil war declared his belief that Lincoln should have called for 
200,000 instead of 75,000 men. He was a Royal Arch Mason and was 
buried with the honors of the order. Capt. Stephen Barton was a very 
influential citizen, possessed of great strength of character and a culti- 



I 



Biographical Sketches. 541 

vated mind from general reading and travel. His army life was a 
record at its time of his patriotism. 

William Stone of Waltham married Mrs. Esther (Gale) Haven of "Water- 
X town. She had a son Dayid, born Dec., 1750, at Waltham, who after her 
second marriage took the name of Stone. William and his son David came 
1775 to Oxford and resided on Rocky Hill. 

David Stone was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Learned 
and present at Burgoyne's surrender. Joseph, son of David and Sarah 
(Treadwell) Stone, married Martha, daughter of Capt. Jeremiah and Dolly 
(Barton) Learned. 

Hon. Ira Moore Barton, in ancestry a lineal descendant from Richard 
Moor, Esq., was born in Oxford, 1796, graduated at Brown University 
in 1819, studied law with Gov. Lincoln in Worcester, and was at the 
Law School connected with Harvard Univei'sity, where he received the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1822. He was noticeable as a gentleman 
of great refinement of manners. He represented Oxford in the State 
legislature for the years 1830, 1831 and 1832, a State Senator in 1833 and 
1834, and in this latter year was appointed one of the commissioners 
for revising the statutes. In 1834 he removed to Worcester. In 1836 
was appointed by Gov. Everett as Judge of Probate and retained the 
office eight years, when he resigned and resumed the practice of law. 
He was chosen a Presidential Elector in 1840. He died July, 1867. 

Miss Clara Barton. 

April, 1861, was the commencement of the Civil war of the U. S. 
The first regiment of troops, the Old Massachusetts Sixth, that fought 
its way through Baltimore brought friends of her childhood and youth, 
the brigades of New Jersey brought friends, the same a solid phalanx 
and the storming legion of old Herkimer. Miss Barton writes to her 
friends : " They formed and crowded around me. What could I do but 
go with them or work for them and my country? I went into direct 
service of the sick and wounded troops wherever found for four years." 
Miss Barton's father was devoted to a military life, hence his daughter's 
inherited love for all things pertaining to array life. Her father 
amused her often by arranging imaginary battlefields and troops of 
soldiers, and she once remarked, "I had no end of camp material, but 
no dolls — I never had one." 

Miss Barton went to the station to meet the brave boys of the Massa- 
chusetts Sixth and bound up their wounds received as they came 
through Baltimore. She was the only woman who served through our 
Civil war with neither pay nor commission, first going back and forth 
on the Potomac boats taking the men as they came from the battle- 
field with blood and mud dried upon their persons and getting them 



542 The Records of Oxford. 

ready for the hospitals, and afterwards doing a similar service in the 
camps. Sensitive and womanly in the highest degree she shrank from 
the criticism involved by such a course, but even in the roughest ranks 
she found her womanhood a perfect shield. A charge of cavalry rush- 
ing wildly on to an encounter would grasp the bridle with one hand and 
doff their caps to her with the other. 

Four years were spent in hunting up missing soldiers, and then, as 
she modestly put it, she "told war stories for lecture bureaus." Nature 
at length rebelled against the severe strain, and one night she stopped 
in the middle of her story unable to go on. After a year's rest in 
Switzerland she found herself in the midst of the Franco-Prussian war, 
and voluntarily became a prisoner in order to minister to the wants of 
the soldiers. She was at the siege at Mentz and of Paris, and a hundred 
days before Strasburg, first with the German and then with each army 
in her labor of love. 

Clara Barton was the youngest child of Capt. Stephen Barton of 
Oxford, Mass., a non-commissioned officer under Gen. Anthony Wayne. 
Miss Barton's early education was received principally at home under 
the direction of brothers and sisters. Subsequently she finished her 
education by a very thorough course of study at Clinton, N. Y. She 
afterwards perfected herself in the study of art, belles-lettres and 
languages. Miss Barton is styled the Florence Nightingale of America. 
She was never engaged in hospital service, her chosen labors were on 
the battle-field, from the beginning until the wounded and dead were 
attended. Her supplies were her own and were carried by govern- 
ment transportation. For nearly four years she endured the exposures 
of soldier life, in action always side by side with the field surgeons, 
and this on the hardest fought fields;* exposed at all times, but never 



*The battle of Cedar Mountain, the second Bull Run, Fairfax, Chantilly, 
Antietam, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, the siege of Charleston, Fort Wagner, 
the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and at Fredericksburg after these battles, 
the siege of Petersburg, the Mine, Deep Bottom, Point of Rocks, and in front 
of Richmond until the breaking up of the Southern prisons called her to 
Annapolis to meet the starving prisoners sent there, received more or less the 
benefits of her eflbrts. 

Toward the close of the war a search was instituted for missing soldiers, 
numbering probably 80,000. At her request, made in July, 1865, and with 
President Lincoln's sanction, the Secretary of War sent to Andersonville an 
expedition under her direction to identify the graves of dead soldiers, and by 
means of Dorrance Atwater's "Death Record" 13,000 soldiers' graves were 
found, a large cemetery enclosed, laid out and adorned, graves put in order 
and head-boards erected, thus giving rest to many anxious ones at the North 
who knew not the fate of their missing friends, and enabling families to draw 
needed and well deserved pensions. 



Biographical Sketches. 543 

wounded. She made her work one of humanity alone, bestowing her 
charities and her care indiscriminately on the blue and the gray. All 
unconsciously to herself she was carrying out to the letter in practice 
the grand and beautiful principles of the Red Cross of Geneva (of which 
she had then never heard). 

In 1869 Miss Barton was in Switzerland at the breaking out of the 
Franco-Prussian war, and immediately tendered her services on the 
battle-fleld of Woerth, under the auspices of the Red Cross of Geneva. 
The Grand Duchess of Baden, daughter of the Emperor of Germany, 
invited Miss Barton to aid her in the establishment of her hospitals, a 
work which occupied several months. She proceeded to the Court of 
Carlsruhe, where she remained until the fall of Strasburg. Miss Barton 
entered the city with the German army, organized a labor system for 
poor women, conducting the enterprise herself, employing remunera- 
tively a great number, and clothing over 30,000. She entered Metz with 
hospital supplies the day of its fall, and Paris the day after the fall of 
the Commune. From Paris she went to other cities in France. 

Miss Barton in a letter to a friend gives this account when in Germany 
of a visit to Emperor William. " Three years ago while in attendance 
at an international conference the honored pleasure of a meeting with 
his Majesty the Emperor of Germany, had been given me, a dispatch 
informed me that a like honor again awaited my presence in Baden 
Baden. Trunks were packed, adieus made, and the mid-day train of the 
following day took us in time for the appointed hour. Whoever has 
visited the interior of the ' New Castle,' the Baden Baden palace of the 
Grand Duke, and has been shown through its tasteful apartments, rich 
in elegance, tradition and history, will require no further reminder of 
the place where the interview would be given. This was as well the 
birth-day of the Crown Prince, and iu tender, patei'ual sympathy on the 
painful affliction resting upon a life so treasured, and for the great 
anxiety of the German people, his Majesty the Emperor would pass a 
portion of the day with the beloved daughter and sister, the Grand 
Duchess, at the castle; and, in honoring memory of the occasion, the 
halls were thronged with visitors who came to manifest both respect 
and sympathy. 

" At half past one o'clock we were ushered in at the great castle doors 
by their attendants in livery of ' scarlet and gold,' the national colors 
of Baden, our damp wraps removed, for it was in pouring rain, and 
after a half hour's sitting by a cheerful fire, among paintings which 
quite called one out of personal consciousness, we were escorted to the 
grand reception and drawing rooms to the centre of a magnificent 
apartment with no occupant but ourselves, by another door one saw 



544 '^^'^ Recoi'ds of Oxford. 

the Emperor surrounded by guests who paid formal respects. Scores 
of visitors with coaclimen in richest livery had entered while we 
waited and registered titled names on the open pages. At length his 
Majesty turned from the group about him and, taking the arm of the 
Grand Duchess, entered our apartment. It was difficult to realize all 
his ninety years as he advanced towards us with even and steady, if no 
longer elastic, tread. He approached with cordially extended hand, 
and in his excellent French expressed satisfaction for the meeting. 
* In the name of humanity he was glad to meet and welcome those who 
had labored for it.' In recalling the earlier days of our acquaintance, 
her Royal Highness, the Grand Duchess, alluded tenderly to the winter 
in Strasburg, 1870-71, which I had passed among its poor and wounded 
people after the siege, and selecting two from a cluster of decorations 
which I had worn in honor of the present occasion, drew the attention 
of the Emperor to them. The one he knew, it was his own, presented 
upon his seventy-fifth birthday; the other he had never seen, it was the 
beautiful decoration of the 'German WaflTengenossen,' the 'Warrior 
Brothers in Arms of Milwaukee.' It was puzzlingly familiar, and yet 
was not familiar. There was again the Iron Cross of Germany, but it 
was the American shield, the American eagle surmounting the arms for 
defence; and the colors of Germany, the red, white and black of the 
empire, uniting the two. His Majesty gazed upon the expressive 
emblem, which, with no words, said so much, and turning enquiringly 
to the Grand Duchess as if to ask, ' Does my daughter understand this?' 
The explanation was made that it was from His Majesty's own soldiers, 
who after the German-Franco war had gone to the United States and 
became citizens and this device declares by its shield they are American 
citizens and true to the land of their adoption, so by its Iron Cross 
they were still German ; and by the colors of the native land for which 
every man had offered his life and risked it, they bound the old home 
to the new and by the American eagle and arms, surmounting all, they 
were ready to offer their lives again if need be in defence of either land. 
The smile of the grand old Emperor as he listened had in it the ' well 
done 'of the benignant father to a dutiful and successful son. 'And 
they make good citizens?' he would ask. 'The best that could be 
desired,' I said, 'industrious, honest and prosperous, and. Sire, they 
are still yours in heart, still true to the fatherland and its Emperor.' 
The ear had caught in its kindly tones ' God be praised, for it is from 
Him, I am his, of myself I am nothing. He makes us what we are. 
God is over all.' We stood with bowed heads, while those slowly 
spoken earnest holy words from that most revered of earthly monarchs 
fell upon us like a benediction. At length His Majesty gave his hand 



^ Biographical Sketches. :^Ar 

to both of us in a parting adieu and wall<ed a few steps away, when 
turning bacl^, again extending a hand, he said, in French, ' It is probably 
the last time,' and in pleasant English, ' Good bye,' and again taking the 
arm of the Grand Duchess, he walked from the room, leaving his High- 
ness, the Grand Duke, one of the kindest and noblest types of manhood, 
to say the last words and close this interview, one of the most impress- 
ive and memorable of a life time." 

In 1884 she represented the United States government at the Third 
International Conference of the Red Cross at Geneva, Switzerland. 

" Hers is a record of efficient philanthropic endeavor, which will abide 
as a part of the history of the great Civil contest of our country. Her 
memory is enshrined in the hearts of thousands of the veterans of the 
war, and the souvenirs conferred upon her by persons of high rank in 
Europe attest the esteem in which she is held abroad." 



K\}t Birtis of passage. 

" Birds, joyous birds of wandering wing! 
Whence is it ye come, with the flowers of spring?" 
" We come from the shores of the green old Nile, 
From the laud where the roses of Sharon smile, 
From the palms that wave through the Indian sky, 
From the myrrh-trees of glowing Araby." 

"We have swept o'er cities, in song renown'd — 

Silent they lie, with the deserts 'round! 

We have cross'd proud rivers, whose tide hath roU'd 

All dark with the warrior-blood of old; 

And each worn wing hath regain'd its home, 

Under peasant's roof-tree or monarch's dome. " 

"And what have ye found in the monarch's dome. 
Since last ye traversed the blue sea's foam? " 
" We have found a change, we have found a pall. 
And a gloom o'crshadowing the banquet's hall. 
And a mark on the floor, as of life-drops spilt — 
Naught looks the same, save the nest we built." 

"Oh! joyous birds, it hath still been so! 
Through the halls of kings doth the tempest go! 
But the huts of the hamlet lie still and deep. 
And the hills o'er their quiet a vigil keep. 
Say, what have ye found in the peasant's cot, 
Since last ye parted from that sweet spot? " 

"A change we have found there, and many a change! 

Faces and footsteps and all things strange; 

Some are the heads of the silvery hair, 

And the young that were, have a brow of care, 

And the place is hush'd where the children play'd — 

Naught looks the same, save the nest we made!" 

Sad is your tale of the beautiful earth. 

Birds that o'ersweep it in power and mirth; 

Yet, through the wastes of the trackless air. 

Ye have a guide, and shall we despair? 

Ye over desert and deep have pass'd, 

So shall we reach our home at last. — Mrs. Hemans. 

MARY DeW. FREELAND, 

FREELAND PLACE, 

Sutton, Nov., 1890. 



^i^rimtcl^ 



■ V-vi?« 



NIPMUCK CHAPTERS. 

Gov. Winthrop was regarded with much favor at the English Court, 
his father having been a favorite with Charles the First. 

An Indian Deed. 

The original deed of Black James and Company to Stoughton and 
Dudley of one-half the reservation of five miles square made by said 
Indians in their deed of the Nipmuck Country to said grantees Feb., 
1682, was in the collection of the late John Wingate Thornton of 
Boston, and through the courtesy of his daughter, Elizabeth T. Thornton, 
has recently come into the possession of the Free Public Library. Its 
date is April 28, 1682, a little more than two months after that of the 
sale to the English. The grantors named are Black James, alias 
Walomachin, Benjamin, James, Simon Wolomp, Tascomp, Sasequeja- 
suck, Pomponechum, Wolowononak, Papomsham, Pepegous, John 
Awagwon, Sosequaw, Aquetaquash, James Wiser, James Acojock, 
Wolumpau, Papeunquanant and Waumshk, who convey as follows: — 
"for and in consideration of the Snme of Ten pounds current money of 
New England to us paid by the s'' William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley 
.... "^^nvt given, granted .... and by these presents ^OC fully, 
freely and absolutely give, grant .... unto the s<i William Stoughton 
and Joseph Dudley their heires and assignes forever .... one Moiety 
or full half part of the s' tract of Laud of ffive miles Square in such 
place or contents of five mile Square in such two places as wee shall 
choose Reserved by us as above s' out of the grant abovementioned, 
made by us unto them— of all that part of the Nipmug Country above 
described and bounded (that is to say) one half part of all the upland 



*In 1662, on the restoration of the monarch Charles II., the people of Con- 
necticut were eager for a royal charter. They had subdued the Pequots, they 
had purchased lands of the Mohegans, and had also purchased the claims of 
the Earl of Warwick. The younger Winthrop was sent to London as ambassa- 
dor. He brought with him a charter from the "General Assembly of Con- 
necticut" for the King to sign. Winthrop obtained an audience with the 
sovereign and did not fail to show him a ring which Charles had given as a 
pledge of friendship to Winthrop's grandfather. The little token so much 
moved the monarch that he signed the colonial churter. —Pequot War, 1637. 

549 



550 The Records of Oxford. 

grounds and the whole of all the meadow grounds contained within the 
s'^ Reserve . . . ." 

[Signed by 20.] 
" Signed, Sealed & Delivered 
in presence of us. 
William A. Rawson ? 

Edward Thomas Acknowledged 28 Apr., 1682, 

John Goke. before 

Samuel RuGGLES Sen. Hum: Davie, \ Aaots 



,}• 



Samuel Ruggles Jr. Samuel Nowell 

his 

Peter X Gardner 

mark 

Ralph Brodhurst " 

" Wee Seanjasco, Wabequalan, Madaquamin, Cook Robin [others, 
names illejrible] inhabitants of the Nipmug Country aud partners with 
the grantees in the Land above conveyed and sold, being absent at the 
time of the above s'^ treaty and bargain and therefore not inserted in 
the Deed Do nevertheless fully consent thereto, and having received 
our several proportions of the price therein Specified do Signify our 
consent to the same and release all our right title claim and interest in 
and unto the Lands therein granted and every part and parcel thereof 
do hereunto Set our hands aud Scales in the presence of the witnesses 
above named. Consented unto also by James Printer als. Wowaus." 

[Signed by four.] 

On the back is endorsed : — 

" Memorand That on the twentieth day of May 1685 full and peaceable 
possession and Seizin of the Lauds within mentioned to be granted with 
the appurtenances was given by Benjamin the brother of Black James 
& Simon Wolomp son of the sayd Black James by delivery of a turffe of 
the Land called Mayanexit upon a small twigg in the name of unto the 
within named Stoughtou and Joseph Dudley which was so done under 
a tree growing ou the said Mayanexit Land and then marked S. D. in 
the presence of us whose are underwitten 

' ' John Blackwell 

" Rob'. Jardone" 
[Suffolk Rec. XII. 297.] 

On 28 Feb., Bellemont wrote to the Lords of Trade, London, saying 
that Mr. Sabin [of Woodstock] was at Boston " the past week, having 
come by night that it might not be known to his Indian neighbors," 
that he was under great terror and apprehension, having learned through 
"Owenico"the Mohegan Chief that the Governor of Canada through 
his " cunning men" was instigating a plot to cut off the English. 



Nipmuck Chapters. 551 

In another connection Sabin said, "The Indians are drawn off and 
gone eastward and some .... being sent to recall them and having 
discoursed with the Sachem of the Pennacook about the aforesaid com- 
bination .... he told him that he had the longest bow that ever was 
in New England, it reached from Penobscot to the Mohawk Country," 
meaning that all Indians were in the plot. 

In a letter of John Perry to Gov. Dudley, Brookfield, 4 Jan., 1703, he 
says : — 

" We have a few rambling Indians frequenting our place whose words 
& carriage is such as gives reason to suspect them to be evil minded 
men and disposed to mischief .... Their names the one is Joseph 
Ninnequabon, who was the man the last year that received a wampum 
belt of our Enemyes, and presented it to the Moheggs to ingage them in 
a war with us, for which the xVuthority imprisoned said Ninnequabon 
many weeks, the then plott being discovered by our Moheeken friends, 

that storm went over It is said that Ninnequabon was bred & 

born at New Roxbury .... [He names Black James and] another 
Indian whose name is Moamaug, who told Mr. Buroe a ffrench gentle- 
man [Francois Bureau, an Oxford Huguenot], that he had been at 
Canada this last summer, and the ffrench had given him a gun, a coat 
and a hatchet, to ingage him against the English. These Indians are 
designed to draw off norward to be out of your Excellency's reach : for 
they are informed that your Excellency desires to settle them, which 
they declare against." 

Keekaraoochaug was an Indian plantation adjoining Oxford. This 
tract of land was bounded north by Oxford south boundary, east by the 
great pond, south by " Dudley's Maanexit farm," and extended westerly 
so as to include the valley west of Dudley centre. Laborie the Hugue- 
not minister at New Oxford was stationed also to be a teacher among 
the Indians at Keekamoochaug. 

There are said to be the remains of an old garden and vineyard 
included on the late Mayo farm southerly of the French fort, and that 
terraces are still visible. The late Samuel Mayo stated it was to the 
Mayo family a mystery. It is supposed to have been a place of encamp- 
ment or a hunting-lodge among the Indians at Keekamoochaug; being 
near the French fort, it would appear that these Indians here received 
the instruction of Rev. Daniel Bondet and Rev. James Laborie. 

The selectmen of Woodstock sent to the Court a letter for relief: 
"Whereas there are many Indians belonging .... To-ke ka mo woo 
tchong and others who have been resident in this town for a long time 
who are oftentimes very drunken; to the great dishonor of God, the 
grief of good men, the prejudice of themselves and other Indians who 
are often beaten and bruised and almost brought to death's door a sad 



552 The Recoi'ds of Oxford. 

example whereof hath been the last week in our town and its evidence 
enough by the Indian testimony who the persons are of whom they 
obtain their drinls; have some here in authority who may punish such 
offences which might be a good means to prevent such disorders as we 
account ourselves in duty bound, do inform your Honor and pray that 
some order be given, as your wisdom shall judge meet, that for the 
future such woful practices may be prevented. 
" Woodstocli, Feb. 22, 1C91-2. 

"John Chandler 
" William Bartholomew 
" Benjamin Sabin 
"Edward Morris 

'■'■Selectmen." 

Aug. 1, 1693, in Council, it was advised and ordered that the Indians 
of the Plantation of Tohkokomoowadchunt [Kekaraoochoug, adjoining 
Oxford] "as well for their own security as that the Enemy may be 
better known," be drawn into the town of Woodstock to be under the 
watch of the English. 

James was a teacher at Hassanamisco, the place of his nativity, and 
also at Chaubunagungamaug. With all his good qualities he was true 
to his native instincts, and when Philip's war began joined the foiay, 
leading, it is said, in some of the murderous assaults. A memento of 
him (it is believed no other Indian of the time couki have produced the 
document) remains in the form of a written notification which was 
posted on the bridge over Charles river at Medfleld on the retreat after 
the attack on that settlement, 21 Feb., 1676 : '■'■Know by this jmper that the 
Indians that thou hast provoked to lorath and anger will war these twenty- 
one years, if you will. There are many Indians yett. We come three 
hundred at this time. You must consider that the Indians loose nothing 
hut their lives, but yoti must loose your fair houses and cattle." 

A few months later the war was closed. James returned to his alle- 
giance to the colonists, was pardoned and for many years afterward was 
a competent assistant to Mr. Green, the leading printer of the day, at 
Boston, printing in 1709 the Indian Psalter. 

"The oldest house in the Narragansett is upon the Updike Farm in 
Wickford, it was erected before 1640 and was used as a fort or stockade 
in King Philip's War, when the owner, as the record says, housed his 
goods, corn, Provisions and Cattell for a Garison and supply to the 
whole army of New England " in 1676, when it and the old stone house 
at Warwick were the only English habitations left undestroyed by the 
Indians on the main land between Providence and Stonington. "It 
was built by Ilichard Smith, an English gentleman, who for his con- 



Nifmuch Chapters. 553 

science to God, left faire possessions in Gloster Shire and came to ye 
Nahigglnslk Country, where by God's raersle, and ye favor of Nahiggeu- 
sik Sachems, he broke ye ice at his great charge and hazzards and put 
up in ye thickest of ye barbarians ye first English house among them." 
This farm was nine miles in length and three miles wide, and the present 
site of the Narragansett Church is upon a part of this estate.* " Richard 
Smith's daughter married Lodowick Updike, from whom the farm 
received its name. The old block house has been added to and indeed 
is quite covered up, but still stands in the middle of the farm house, 
almost the oldest house in New England. Now a portion is covered 
with great English oaks, two hundred years old. The house remained 
in the Updike family until 1813, and portions of the original Smith pur- 
chase are still retained in their possession. The Updike family is still 
represented in St. Paul's at the present time. 

Canonchet was the last chief Sachem of all the Narragansetts, the 
son of Miantinomo. In April, 1676, having been driven out of his own 
country and the Narragansett fort, the whole body of the Indians to the 
westward, as Hubbard the ancient historian states, trusting to "this 
aspiring bramble," for he took a kind of care upon them himself, fore- 
Seeing so many hundreds could not subsist without planting he pro- 
pounded it in his council, that ail the west plantations upon the Con- 
necticut river should be planted with corn. 

To that end he resolved to venture himself with only 30 men to fetch 
seed corn from Seaconk the next town to Mount Hope, leaving 1,500 
men to follow him the next week. Capt. George Denison of Stoning- 
ton and Capt. Avery of New London, with English soldiers, Narragan- 
setts, Pequods, and Mohegans under Oneco, son of Uncus, were 
informed that Canonchet was near to them— who had become already 
alarmed and was told by one of his men that the whole English army 
was upon him for they pursued him so closely that he cast off first his 
blanket, then his silver laced coat given him at Boston as a pledge of 
their friendship upon the renewal of his league in October before, and 
belt of peag which made his pursuers think he was the right bird. He 
was taken by the English. Mr. Robert Stanton, a young man, ventured 
to address him, the Sachem replied in broken English, "You much 
child, no understand matters of war; let your brother or your chief 
come, him I will answer." When conditions of peace were named to 
him he refused to send an old counsellor of his to make any terms. He 
was soon after taken to Stonington and shot. When told his sentence 
was death he replied, he liked it well for he wished to die before his 
heart was soft or he had spoken anything unworthy of himself, choos- 
ing death in preference to slavery. 
*" The History of the Narragansett Church." 



554 "^^^ Records of Oxford. 

It is said the Narragansett Redraen were the strongest, bravest and 
most generous of all the New England tribes. Their hospitality and 
kindness to the English at different times should not be forgotten. 
Canonchet in 1657 had sold to the English for sixteen pounds a tract of 
land about fifteen miles long and seven miles wide on Pettaquamsent hill. 

Capt. Prentice and his troops being sent the next day, Dec. 16, to 
Pettyquamscot, news was soon brought by them from Pettyquarascot to 
the soldiers of the burning of Jerry Bull's garrison house, which house 
was intended for their general rendezvous; there was, therefore, now 
no shelter left either for officers or private soldiers. News brought on 
the 17th that the Connecticut forces were now arrived at this place with 
300 English and some 150 Mohegans ready to war with the English 
against their enemies the Narragan setts. The whole body of the Massa- 
chusetts and Plymouth forces marched at once to Pettyquamscot to 
meet the Connecticut forces. They met them at five o'clock P. M., 
Dec. 18. All now were necessitated to march on toward the enemy 
" through the snow, in a cold stormy evening, finding no other defence 
all that night, save the open air, nor any other covering than a cold and 
moist fleece of snow. Through all these difficulties and hardships they 
marched from the dawn of the next day, Dec. 19, till one o'clock P. M., 
without fire to warm them or rest to take food. Thus having waded 
some sixteen miles through the country of the old queen of Narragansett 
they came at one o'clock upon the edge of the swamp where the 
Indians were encamped." * 

The English after partaking of some refreshment formed for battle 
against the Indians who were in possession of the Narragansett fort. 



♦Hubbard's Indian Wars. 



§lugu^wat ^hiipitxs. 



HUGUENOT CHAPTEKS. 

"Their flight was a noble act of loyalty and sincerity. It is glorious 
for human nature that so many for truth's sake should have sacrificed 
everything in a flight so perilous and difficult; some see in these people 
only obstinate sectaries, I see in them people of lofty ideas of honor, 
who over all the earth have proved themselves to have been the elite of 
France."* — Michelet. 

Lawson's Travels. 

In the year 1709 Mr. John Lawson published a journal of "A Thousand 
Miles travelled through several Nations of the Indians." Some extracts 
may give a picture of the Huguenots in their scattered settlements. 

"The first place," he writes, "we designed for was Santee river, where 
there is a colony of French Protestants, allowed and encouraged by the 
lords proprietors." 

After giving an account of his voyage from Charleston, through the 
inland passage to Santee river, which occupied a week, he adds, "As we 
rowed up the river we found the land towards the mouth, and for about 
sixteen miles up it, scarce anything but swamp, aflbrding vast cypress 
trees of which the French make canoes that will carry fifty or sixty bar- 
rels." Then follows a description of the large cypress canoes, said to 
have been first invented by the French settlers. Mr. Lawson then pro- 
ceeds, "there being a strong current in Santee river, caused us to make 
but small way with our oars. With hard rowing we got that night to 
Monsieur Eugee's (Huger) house, which stands about fifteen miles up 



*0n the death of Francis II. of France, Mary, Queen of Scots, was to return 
to Scotland, she was accompanied by three of her uncles of the house of Lorrain. 
On leaving France Mary kept her eyes fixed upon the French coast after she 
was at sea, and never turned them from that loved object till darkness fell and 
interrupted it from her view. Even then t^he would neither retire to the cabin 
nor take food ; but, commanding a couch to be placed on the deck, she there 
waited, with fond impatience, the return of day. The weather proving calm, 
the galley made but little way during the night, so that Mary, at morning, had 
once more an opportunity of seeing the French coast. She sat upon her couch, 
and still anxiously looking towards the land, often repeated with a sigh, "Adieu, 
France! adieu, beloved country, which I shall never more lieholdl"* 

*Brantome.— " He bimseli was in the same galley with the Queen."— Russell's Modern 
Europe. 

SSI 



55S The Records of Oxford. 

the river, being the first Christian dwelling we met with in that settle- 
ment, and were very courteously received by him and his wife. Many 
of the French follow a trade with the Indians, living very conveniently 
for that interest. There are about seventy families seated on this river, 
who live as decently and happily as any planters in these southward 
parts of America. The French being a temperate, industrious people, 
some of them bringing very little of effects, yet, by their endeavors and 
mutual assistance amongst themselves, which is highly to be commended, 
have outstripped our English, who brought with them large fortunes, 
though as it seems, less endeavor to manage their talent to the best ad- 
vantage." 

"We lay all night at Monsieur Eugee's (Huger, the first settler of this 
family), and the next morning set out further to go the remainder of our 
journey by land. At noon we came up with several French plantations, 
meeting with several creeks by the way. The French were very oflicious 
in assisting with small dories to pass over the waters, whom we met 
coming from their church, being all of them clean and decent, their 
houses and plantations suitable in neatness and contrivance. They are 
all of them of the same opinion of the church of Geneva ; there being 
no diflerence amongst them couceruing the punctilio of their Christian 
faith, which union hath propagated a happy and delightful concord, and 
in all other matters throughout the whole neighborhood ; being amongst 
themselves as one tribe or kindred, everyone making it his business to 
be assistant to the wants of his countrymen, preserving his estate and 
reputation with the same exactness and concern as he does his own ; all 
seeming to share in the misfortunes and rejoice at the advancement and 
rise of their brethren." 

"Towards the afternoon we came to Monsieur L. Jandron (Gendron), 
where we got our dinners. Then came some French ladies whilst we 
were there, lately from England, and Monsieur L. Grand, a worthy Nor- 
man who hath been a great suflerer in his estate by the persecution in 
France against those of the Protestant religion. This gentleman invited 
us very kindly to make our stay with him all night, but we, being bound 
further that day, took our leave, returning acknowledgment of all 
favors. About four in the afternoon we passed over a large cypress run 
in a small canoe. The French doctor sent his negro to guide us over 
the head of a large swamp, so that we got that night to Monsieur Gail- 
liar's (Goilliard) the elder, who lives in a very curious contrived house, 
built of brick and stone, which is gotten near that place.* 



*"There is a simple incident which tradition records as illustrating the unity, 
and sympathy, and pastoral beauty of life among the Huguenots of Santee. Mr. 
Philip Gendron had made a voyage to Charleston upon business, doubtless in 
one of the large canoes described by Lawson. He had undertaken friendly 



Huguenot Chapters. 559 

"Near here comes in the road from Charleston and the rest of the Eng- 
lish settlement, it being a very good way by land, and not above thirty- 
six miles, although more than a hundred by water ; and I think the most 
difficult way I ever saw, occasioned by the reason of the multitude of 
creeks lying along the main, keeping their course through the marshes, 
turning and winding like a labyrinth, having the tide and ebb and flood 
twenty times in less than three leagues going." He then describes a 
freshet in the Santee, representing the adjacent "woods to seem like 
some great lake, except here and there a knoll of high land which ap- 
pears above water." 

We intended for Monsieur Gailliar's, Jun., but were lost, none of us 
knowing the way at that time, although the Indian with us was born in 
that country, it having received so strange a metamorphosis. "When we 
got to the house we found our comrades (who had been accidentally 
separated), and several of the French inhabitants with them, who treated 
us very courteously, wondering at our undertaking such a voyage through 
a country inhabited by savages of diftereut nations and tongues. After 
having refreshed ourselves we parted from a very kind, loving and affa- 
ble people, who wished us a safe and prosperous voyage." 

Mrs. Lee adds "it is much to be regretted that we have not more such 
private journals kept by the Huguenots." "We might have gained most 
interesting facts from private memoirs ! " 

A Letter from Rt. Rev. Bishop Hall. 
, "Reuerend and learned friend, M. Doctor Primerose, Preacher to the 
French Church, London. 

"Worthy Master Doctor Primerose : 
"You haue beene long acknowledged a great light in the Reformed 
Churches of France; hauing, for many yeeres, shined in your orbe, the 
famous Church of Burdeaux, with notable effects, and singular approba- 
tion, both for iudgment and sinceritie; both which also your learned 
writings haue well approued ; So as your sentence cannot be liable to 
the danger of any suspition ; let me intreate you to declare freely what 
you hold concerning the truenesse, and visibilitie of the Roman Catholic 
Church, as it is by me explicated; And, with all, to impart your knowl- 
edge of the common Tenet of tliose foraine Diuines, with whom you 



commissions for many of his neighbors. His return had been so long delayed, 
that fears were entertained that he had been lost. During this period of anxious 
suspense, on a Sunday, when the minister was preaching, he suddenly paused, 
and was observed to look intently forward toward the river, as if to assure him- 
self. He then cried, " Voila Monsieur Gendron V The congregation rose in 
mass, and they and their minister hastened to meet and welcome their neighbor 
as he ascended the river bank." 



560 The Records of Oxford. 

hauc so long conuersed, concerning this point; which (if I mistake not) 
onely a stubburne ignorant will needes make litigous. 

"It grieues my Soule to see the peace of the Church troubled with so 
absurd a mes-prison: In exspectation of your answer, I take leaue, and 
commend you, and your holy labours to the blessing of our God. 
"Farewell; from your loueing Brother, and fellow labourer, 

"Jos. EXON." 

"To the Right Reuerend Father in God, and my very good Lord, 
Joseph Bishop of Exceter. 

"Right Reuerend Father in God, 

"I have beene so busied about my necessarie studies for preaching on 
Sunday, Tuesday and this Thursday, that I could not giue sooner a ful 
answer to your Lordships letter, which I receiued on Friday last at 
night, whereby I am desired to declare freely what I think concerning 
the truenesse and visibilitie of the present Roman Catholic Church, as 
it is by your Lordship explicated, and what is the common tenet of the 
forraine Diuines, with whom I haue so long couersed beyond the Seas, 
concerning that point. I might answere in two lines, that I haue read 
your Reconciler*, and iudge your opinion concerning that point to be 
learned, sound, and true ..." 

"The Protestant Diuines haue not builded a new Church upon a new 
foundation." 

"During these thirtie three yeares of my ministrie in the French 
Churches, without any aduantage to our Aduersaries, without any con- 
tradiction of our diuines, without any acception taken against it by our 
Churches, or any particular among the brethren, which all in their name 
Preach and publish that they are of the same mind, calling themselues the 
Reformed Churches, and our Religion the reformed religion ..." 

"This same is the opinion also of ray colleagues of the French Church 
of this Citie of London." 

"I remain foreuer your Lordships most humble and affectionate Seruant, 

"Gilbert Primrose. 
From London the 26 of Februarie, 1629." 

"It was the obseruation of the learnedest King that euer lived or hith- 
erto sat on the English Throne, that the cause of the miscarriage of our 
People into errours, was, their vngroundednes in the points of Cate- 
chisme ; How should those soules bee but carried about with euerie wind 
of Doctrine, that are not wel Ballasted with solid informations : Whence 
it was that his said late Maiestie (of happie meraorie) gaue publike order 
for bestowing the later part of Gods day in familiar Catechising ; then 
which, nothing could bee deuised more necessarie, and behouefuU to the 



* "The Reconciler." ByJos:Exon. London, 1629. 



Huguenot Chapter's. 561 

Soules of men ; It was the Ignorance, and Ill-disposednesse, of some 
cauillers, that taxed this course as preiudicial to Preachings Since, in 
truth, the most vse-full of all Preaching is Catecheticall."* 

"This layes the grounds, the other raiseth the wals, and roofe; this 
informes the iudgement, that, stirres vp the affections ; What good vse 
is there of those affections that runne before the iudgement? Or of 
those wals that want a foundation ? For my part, I haue spent the 
greater halfe of my life in this station of our holy seruice : I thanke God, 
vnpainefully, not vnprofltably; But, there is no one thing, whereof I 
repent so much, as not to haue bestowed more houres in this publike 
Exercise of Catechisme ; In regard whereof, I could quarrell my very 
Sermons, and wish that a great part of them had beene exchanged for 
this Preaching conference: Those other Diuine discourses enrich the 
braine & the tong ; this settles the heart; those other are but the des- 
cants to this plain soug." 

In 1629, during the reign of Charles I., Joseph Hall, Bishop of Exeter 
and Norwich, writes to his friend. Lord Edward Earle : 

"Certainly, my Lord, if none but earthly respects should sway me, 
I should heartily wish to change this Pallace (which the Providence of 
God, and the bountie of my gracious Soveraigne hath put me into) for 
my quiet Cell at Waltham, where I had so sweet leasure to enjoy God, 
your Lordship, and myselfe : 

"But I have followed the calling of my God, to whose service I am 
willingly sacrificed ; and must now, in an holy obedience to his Divine 
Majestic, with what cheerefulnesse I may, ride out all the stormes of 
envie, which unavoidably will alight vpon the least appearance of a con- 
ceived greatnesse ; in the meantime, whatever I may seeme to others, I 
was never less in my own apprehensions ; and were it not for this atten- 
dance of envie could not yield myself any whit greater than I was; 
whatever I am, that good God of mine, make me faithfull to him and 
compose the unquiet spirit of men, . . . publique peace." 

"For mee I need not appeale to Heaven: Eyes enow can witnesse 
how few free houres I have enjoyed, since I put on these Robes of 
sacred honour. In so much as I could finde in my heart, with holy 
Gregorie, to complaine of my change ; were it not, that I see these pub- 
lique troubles are so many acceptable services to my God, whose glorie 
is the end of my being." 

*Edward VI. who died 1559, 

In 1579 William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, surnamed the Silent, caused 
the Union of the Seven Provinces, signed at Utrecht for more closely uniting 
Holland and Zealand with other provinces in the great tie of liberty, as the 
bundle of arrows, the arms and emblem of their republic. In 1580 the United 
Provinces withdraw their allegiance from Spain, and in 1585, offer their sover- 



562 The Records of Oxford. 

The Marquis de Rosni (Duke of Sully), afterward the prime minister 
of Henry IV., when in his twelfth year was an eye-witness of the Massa- 
cre of Paris, and narrowly escaped with his life. "I was in bed, and 
awakened from sleep three hours after midnight by the sound of all the 
bells and the confused cries of the populace. My governor St. Julian 
with my valet de chambre went hastily out to know the cause and I never 
afterwards heard more of them, who without doubt were sacrificed to 
the public fury. I continued alone in my chamber, dressing myself, 
whereas in a few moments I saw my Hote (the master of apartments) 
enter, pale and in the utmost consternation. He was of the Reformed 



elgnty to Henry III. of France, who is obliged to decline on account of the 
affairs of his kingdom. Queen P^lizabeth sends over from England an army of 
six thousand men, under the Earl of Leicester, to the assistance of the states of 
Holland. The Queen promises Sir Thilip Sidney a position in the army under 
his uncle, the Earl of Leicester; he is made Governor of the garrison of Flush- 
ing, and for field service General of the horse. Sir Thilip \vas mortally wounded 
on the battle-field near the walls of Zutphen. 

"When dying, he entreated those Divines who were present to recall to mind 
'what was the opinion of the Heathen, touching the immortality of the Soul. 
First, to see what true knowledge she retains of her own Essence, out of the 
light of herself. Then to parallel with it the most pregnant Authorities of the 
Old and New Testament, as supernatural Revelations, sealed up from our Flesh, 
for the Divine Light of Faith to reveal and work by. Not that he wanted In- 
formation or Assurance; But because this fixing of a Lover's thoughts upon 
those external beauties, tended not only to the cheering up of his decaying 
Spirits; but, as it were, a taking possession of that never-fading and eternal 
Inheritance, which was due unto him, by virtue of his Brotherhood in Christ.' 
Sir Philip then took his leave of this life with these words : 'But above all Gov- 
ern your Will and Aflections by the Will and Word of your Creator, in me 
beholding the end of this world with all her vanities.'" Thus passed in his 
youth from earth Sir Philip Sidney.— The Lives of Divines of Nobility and 
Gentry. 

Sir Philip Sidney was the son of Sir Henry Sidney ; his mother was the daugh- 
ter of the Duke of Northumberland and the sister to the Earls of Warwick and 
Leicester. Sir Philip was married to the daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham. 

"When William, prince of Orange, was about twenty-six years old he was at 
Paris upon some public matters, and the king of France told him of a plan he 
had with the king of Spain to murder at one stroke all the Protestants in France 
and Holland. The French king thought that William knew of it, and would be 
glad to have him talk about it. William had not heard of it before, and was 
not glad to hear of it. But he neither spoke nor looked as if he were in any 
way surprised; and he did not say a word of what he thought about it; only 
he began to make plans to stop it. It was because he was able to keep back his 
thoughts at this time and at other times, when few men could have done it, that 
he came to be called 'The Silent.' " 



Ht{gue7iot Chapters. 563 

religion, and having learned what the matter was he consented to mass 
to save his life and to preserve his house from being pillaged. He came 
to persuade me to do the same and to take me with him. I did think 
proper to follow him, but resolved to try if I could go to the college of 
Burgundy where I had studied, though the great distance between the 
house where I then was and the college made the attempt very hazard- 
ous." 

" Having disguised himself in a scholar's gown, he put a large prayer- 
book under his arm and went into the street, when he was seized with 
inexpressible horror at the sight of the furious murderers, who running 
from all parts forced open the houses and cried aloud, 'Kill! Kill, 
massacre the Huguenots,' and the blood which he saw shed redoubled 
his terror. He was frequently in the most extreme danger, but he 
arrived at last to the college of Burgundy, when after imminent peril of 
his life the principal of the college, who tenderly loved him, conducted 
him privately to a distant chamber, uncertain of his destiny, seeing no 
one but the servant who served him with food until the danger ceased."* 

King Henry IV. was at this time forty years of age. The fatigues of 
war had made more tawny his complexion of Bearne and the mountains, 
his beard was thick and crisp; his hair white under his helmet of steel, 
surmounted with some floating plumes; he had small brilliant eyes, 
concealed behind prominent cheeks; a long aquiline nose; a heavy gray 
moustache ; his chin and mouth had already the appearance of age in 
middle life. He carried his coat of mail (cuirass of war) upon his war 
horse caparisoned with iron as in a day of battle. This description, 
which is entirely free from flattery, presents the person of Henry IV. 
as a soldier, and is said to agree with the celebrated historical picture 
of his entering Paris by David. 

The age of the Fronde was the most flourishing period of the litera- 
ture of France, the Duchess de Rambouillet and her daughter were 
those ladies to whom the French language is indebted for so many of 
its graces and for all its conversational polish. This period was also 
noted in Paris for the reunions of its poets. The assemblies at the 
residence of Scarron were not the least among the fashionable coteries, 
for here were assembled all that was noble, great and brilliant in the 
literature of France. 

" The Marquise de Sevigne is said to have charmed the court circle of 
Louis XIV. quite as much by her wit and intellect as by her beauty of 
person, which was not small. She possessed also, what was a rare 
thing in the fashionable ladies of that time, a sweet modesty, free from 
all prudery, and a good heart, ready for the cultivation of friendship." 

*Mem. de Sully, page 105. 



564 The Records of Oxford. 

In the elegant society of the Fronde Madame de Sevigne was one of 
those learned and brilliant women of France. Corneille, Racine, Moliere, 
La Fontaine and Boileau were the poets and satirists. Bourdalone and 
Bossuet were her religious teachers. De Retz, La Rochefoucauld, 
Marshal Turenne and Conde were among her heroes. The ladies of 
that coterie have names scarcely less historic, the Duchess de Longue- 
villes, Madame de Maiutenon and Madame de I'Euclos. Of all these 
names none shone with a more living lustre than that of the Marquise 
de Sevigne. Lamartine calls her " The Petrarch of French prose," and 
yet she wrote only letters. These letters have a distinct interest as a 
bit of the life history of the Court of Louis XIV. at the time when so 
many of the Huguenots were suffering from persecution and became 
exiles from France. 

Fifty thousand Huguenots went to London, others to Holland, to 
Brazil and other parts of the eastern continent. They settled in Florida, 
New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia, but more than in 
any other State in South Carolina. 

Ren6 Grignon was associated with Bernon in the Chamoiserie at Oxford 
and retired to Boston on the final abandonment of the second French settle- 
ment of Oxford, and afterward became a resident of Norwich and presented 
to the town a bell long known as the Grignon bell. Tradition tells us that it 
once hung in the tower of the French chapel at New Oxford. It was then 
known as the " curfew bell" for vesper service. 

Following the massacre many inhabitants of Normandy and Bretagne 
fled to the Channel islands belonging to England, viz. Guernsey and 
others as well as to Great Britain. Large numbers fled to England and 
to Holland from the Walloon country on the northeastern border of 
France extending into Belgium. They were a people of French extract- 
ion and spoke the French language. The Walloons in Canterbury, Eng- 
land, in 1561, were granted the use of the cathedral. 

1700. " At the house and farme at New Oxford called the olde mill." 
(The late Capt. Humphrey's estate.) There are still relics of this old 
garrison house preserved as when owned by Bei'uon. 

Bernon's Plan of Oxford. This plan is included among the Bernon 
papers as in a manner illustrating the divisions of the Oxford lands. 
It represents the site of the Huguenot fort, a cluster of French houses 
near the old mill, the south branch of Mill brook coming from Mendon 
meadow, the north branch of the same coming from Bug swamp, the 
Maanexit, Little river, the Quinebaug. This plan has no date attached 
but must have been made after the deed of division 1688 and before the 
English settlement, as at that date the " common way " here represented 
had been abolished. An interesting point which has not been identified 



Huguenot Chapters. 5^5 

(perhaps some abundant spring) is that in the extreme east of Cox's 
division, near the Maanexit on the west, designated as " Coxes Well." 
The Grand Proprietors' lots are marlved. 

1897. The spring or well of water named by Capt. Humphrey to Eev. 
Abial Holmes on his visit to Oxford as being connected with the garri- 
son house has recently been opened. It is said to be 40 rods easterly 
from the barn door on the late estate of Capt. Humphrey. 

The old Connecticut road, sometimes called the old Boston road, 
after passing the residence known anciently as the Samuel Davis man- 
sion, as it enters what was once the Woodstock trail, passing in the 
lowlands at the base of the ruins of the old French fort is unchanged 
since John Oldham the first white man passed over it in his travels. 

The large, round-top hill lying just below the fort is called in the 
records " Bondet hill." On its eastern slope, just at the entrance of the 
Boston road, stood what is called in the records the "Great House." 
This was Bondet's residence. The plantation included 200 acres of land. 

"Jan. 14, 1714," voted that Ebeuezer Humphrey should have the 
orchard adjoining the southwest corner of his home lot, making allow- 
ance to the town in money in full of what two men shall judge it to be 
worth," and chose John Town and Abial Lamb to appraise the same. 
This was a Huguenot orchard located directly west of the old mill at the 
south end of the plain. It did not go into Humphrey's possession. It 
was a part of the Harris estate. 

On the river near the south part of the plain was built a mill by the 
Huguenots, and less than a mile above, at the northeastern extremity 
of Bernon's way, there was erected the first grain mill, built by Church, 
1G89. 

There is still an orchard occupying the site. Much interest in all 
reminiscences of the "Old Mill." It was in its location so connected 
with the Huguenot settlement. In a plan of Oxford lands made by 
Gabriel Bernon. 

In the English settlement this old mill was noted and the old bridge * 
leading to it. The mansion house named in the deed, which was located 
next to the old gambrel-roof " Hackburu Mansion." 

Three Historic Oaks. 

The first of the trio stands in a lawn in front of the ancient site of 
the Richard Moore mansion house. South Main street. At one foot 
from the ground the tree measures in its circumference fifteen feet and 
four inches. It has very numerous branches. From its situation on 



*May24, 1716. It was voted to build a bridge "made passabel for horses 
over ye brook" on the road to the fort, in place of the foot-bridge. 



566 The Recoj'ds of Oxford. 

the principal street it is oftenest mentioned as the Huguenot oak (page 
251). At a little distance south of the first Huguenot oak, on the opposite 
side of Main street, at the junction of Main street and Huguenot avenue, 
is the second oak of the trio, near the old French mill. This tree has a 
picturesque appearance as it has withstood the storms of centuries. It 
is less in size than the first. The largest oak of the trio is 95 feet in 
height, the branches upon the tree extend to a distance of 50 feet. This 
tree three feet from the ground measures sixteen feet and two inches in 
circumference. This tree is on the estate of Bernon's ancient farm and 
near his garrison house. This Huguenot oak was the southern boundary 
to the entrance of an old English road, which passed the French church 
yard and near the French church and lower French garrison house and 
orchard. 

Huguenot Memokial Society. 

In 1881 a society was formed for the purpose of honoring and per- 
petuating the memory of the first settlement of the town, of which 
Zachariah Allen, LL. D., of Providence, was chosen president. He died 
27 March, 1882, and Hon. Peter Butler of Boston was elected as his suc- 
cessor. Its members are exclusively descendants of the Huguenots, 
residing in Oxford, Worcester, Boston, Providence, New York and other 
places. A fund was raised and several acres of land with the old fort 
purchased, to be held by the Society in perpetuity. The foundations of 
the fort have been cleared of earth and stones. 

Monument. 

A subscription was raised for the erection of a monument and a hand- 
some and appropriate memorial, being a massive granite cross on a 
pedestal, was erected, and dedicated 2 Oct., 1884, with appropriate 
ceremonies in the presence of a large assembly of people. Rev. Charles 
W. Baird, D.D., of Rye, N. Y., Richard Olney, Esq., of Boston, and 
Peter B. Olney, Esq., of New York, were the chief speakers on the 
occasion. 



Huguenot Chapters. 567 

Inscriptions : — 

'iSoxit'h.'] 

In Memory of the 

HUGUENOTS 

Exiles for their Faith, 

Who made the first settlement of Oxford 

1687. 

"We live not for ourselves only, but for Posterity." 

Z. Allen. 

[ West.^ 

A la Memoire de 

ANDRE SIGOURNAY, 

Commandant du Fort. 

N6 A La Rochelle, France, 1638, 

MoRT A Boston, Mass., 1727, 

A L'Age de 89. 

[]Srorth.;\ 

Erected by descendants of 

GABRIEL BERNON 

AND OF 

ANDRE SIGOURNAY, 

1884. 

" A LA Foi et Honneur." 

lEast.'] 

A LA Memoire de 

GABRIEL BERNON, 

Found ateur de la Colonie d' Oxford, 

N6 A La Rochelle, France, 1644, 

MoRT A Providence, R. I., 1736, 

A L'Age de 92. 



^iiglislx ®Ixa]jtjer6* 



ENGLISH CHAPTERS. 

Abraham Skiunor, one of the 30 English proprietors of Oxford, re- 
ceived his forty acres of land at Augutteback Falls, or as termed the 
Lower Falls. In March, 1722, this estate was purchased by Thomas 
Gleason, who died here. Moses his son sold in March, 1734, to James 
CoUer of Uxbridge. In March,' 1735, Jonathan Ballard of Billerica or 
Andover, purchased the mill estate at Augutteback pond, and in August, 
1751, Ephriam his son received from his father one-half of the same. 
No mention is made of a mill on this estate in the deed to Thomas Glea- 
son in 1722, but on the decease of Mr. Gleason in 1732 his estate included 
"mills and stream, with homestead and buildings." 

The old well, lined with moss, still is to be seen at the home once the 
Ballard's and for so many years the home of the Nichols family. The 
site of the Ballard grain-mill aside from its antiquity is of interest for 
the great beauty of its natural scenery. One can picture the early 
inhabitants coming and leaving with their grain on the old Sturbridge 
road north of the burying-ground near the south common. This high- 
way was known as the Mill road or 2-rod way, being extremely narrow; 
it commenced at the northeast corner of the burying-ground, then over 
a hill to the mill, and on westerly. It was not accepted as a town road 
until 1764. Now the railroad enters the village of Howarth. 

John Nichols came from Londonderry in Ireland in 1727 to New Eng- 
land at the age of seventeen years and was a resident of Roxbury until 
1734, when he came to Oxford as tenant of the heirs of Gov. Dudley on 
entailed lands in the south part of Oxford ; built on those lands a house. 
He married Hannah Tucker of Roxbury. Children: John, born 1734, 
and Hannah, who married Peter Phillips of Charlton. 

After Mr. Nichols had made his large purchase of landed estate in the 
westerly part of Oxford and on the boundary of Charlton, it was said, 
"Lieut. Nichols is the owner of one-half of Oxford." He was permitted 
as an honor to be seated in a pew in the old church on the north common, 
placed aside, unoccupied, for the proprietors not resident in Oxford. 
Mr. Edward Raymond shared in the same honor. 

In 1756 was purchased land of William Thomas, husband of Mary 
Papillon, bounded east on Ebenezer Coburn (this was laud known in Ox- 
ford as a part of the estate of Peter Papillon of Boston). In 1793 Sam- 



572 The Records of Oxford. 

uel Danforth and Elijah Dunbar deeded to John Nichols and his grand- 
sons land partly in Oxford and partly in Charlton. 

John Nichols* was a Captain in the Revolutionary war; joined the 
army near New York in 1777. In 1779 he left his twin sons upon his 
homestead ; his father purchasing for him the Augutteback Mill estate, 
now Howarth, he made that place his residence. la 1790 his father 
conveyed this estate to him. In 1801 he conveyed one-half of the estate 
to his son David, who afterward became sole owner. This estate was 
in the possession of the Nichols family for 47 years. 

On the departure of Capt. John Nichols with his company from Ox- 
ford in Gen. Lenrned's regiment, when he left home, Jonathan his son, a 
lad thirteen years of age, in company with David Lamb, a soldier, drove 
the transportation wagon with four horses to New Haven and returned 
home alone with the team. 

Abijah Conant, who had married Bathsheba, a daughter of Capt. John 
Nichols, accompanied her father in the Revolutionary war as an attend- 
ant, and died in the service. 

Capt. John Nichols^ of Charlton married, May 20, 1785, Lucretia, 
daughter of Amos Putnam* of Sutton, who was the descendant of John 
Putnam, who came from Buckinghamshire, England, and made a settle- 
ment in Salem in 1634. Amos was the son of Elisha, who came to Sut- 
ton, and who was the son of Edward^ and grandson of Thomas- and 
great-grandson of John,* who came from England. 

Amos Putnam was a brother to General Rufus Putnam, who was dis- 
tinguished in the Revolutionary war. In 1725 Elisha Putuam^ came to 
Sutton; he was a gentleman much honored in Sutton with public offices 
of trust. He was the first proprietor of the landed estate known so long 
as the James Freeland place. The ancient mansion house of Mr. Put- 
nam, with its lean-to roof, was purchased by Mr. Freeland with its land- 
ed estate. It was situated only a little distance from the present brick 
mansion on the estate. 

David,'* son of Capt. John Nichols, succeeded his father as the owner 
of Augutteback Mill, and then there were established three mills, — a grain 
mill, lumber mill and a wool carding mill. In about 1805 there were 
wool-carding machines introduced into the country, which much lessened 
the laborious task of preparing materials for clothing in olden time. 
The first carding done in Oxford with this improvement was at John 
and David Nichols' mill in Oxford. 

David Rich and his son John H. Rich of Charlton near Oxford bound- 
ary, at their carding mill commenced wool carding with this machine, 



* David Nichols in 1825 gave of this estate a deed to Delano Pierce, Sternes 
De Witt and Alexander De Witt to establish manufactures. 



English Chapters. 573 

which they used for 70 years, much of the patronage coming from Ox- 
ford. But the mill and its owners are in the past. 

A portion of the landed estate of William Hudson in ancient deeds is 
named "Hudson's Bay."* 

The southern boundary of Mr. Hudson's estate is described as "on y" 
line of y farm called barnons farm." (French plantation of Gabriel 
Bernon.) 

From Nichols' mill in olden time east and south by the pond to Charl- 
ton road a cart road with bars and gates shut in the present avenue to 
Howarths from the highway. 

The town of Oxford, Massachusetts, is situated in the southern central 
part of Worcester County. The General Court in 1683 granted the 
plantation and it received the name of Oxford after a city of that name 
in England, as so many of the distinguished gentlemen in the colony 
had received their education at the University of Oxford. 

The first survey of the Oxford grant was made by John Gore of Eox- 
bury, an order having been issued by Edmund Andros, Kt., Sept. 19, 
1687, for laying out a plat " near Worcester" on a grant made in 1683. 

August 16, 1722, a law was passed requiring frontier towns, including 
Oxford, to be placed in a position of defence. Military officers and 
town officials were directed to cause houses to be defended by fortifica- 
tions to which families might repair for safety from an attack of the 
Indians. 

In 1716 there was a road opened between the frontier towns of Marl- 
borough and Oxford — very noted in its time. 

Changes in the Town Boundariks. 

In the present town the southern and a small part of the eastern 
borders only are identical with the original outlines. 

The first change was made when the town of Dudley was incor- 
porated, Dec, 1731, and Mr. Dudley's 6,000 acres, excepting "Paul 
Dudley's farm" of 1,000 acres at the eastern extremity, were included in 
the new town. 

The next change was at the incorporation of Webster. The town 
opposed this proceeding. In Sept., 1831, Ira M. Barton, Stephen Davis 
and Richard Stone were chosen to protest against it before the Legisla- 
ture. 

" The area of the town before the setting ofi" of Charlton was represent- 
ed as having been about 45,000 acres. In 1754 a large portion of the rich 

* "Hudson's Bay" was a part of the land on the Maanexit (French river), 
between Ballard's grain mill on the old Sturbridge road, now Howarth, and 
North Oxford. 



574 ^^^^ Records of Oxford. 

agricultural town of Charlton was carved from the west part of Oxford, 
and in 1778 about one-third part of Ward was also taken from said town 
so that when the town of Oxford was surveyed in 1794 ... it contained 
but 17,336.^ acres. Since that time another small portion of the south 
gore has been annexed to the town and by said survey Oxford now con- 
tains about 18,000 acres. The petitioners seek to carve oflf about 2,500 
acres ... by which the town will be reduced to about 15,000 acres or 
one-third its original dimensions.— The land set oflf to Charlton and 
Ward as before mentioned constituted . . . the best part of the former 
town, and a principal source of wealth and population remaining . . . 
consisted in the water power of the French River together with the out- 
let of the Chaubunagungamaug pond. By an appropriation of this 
power to manufacturing purposes the town now sustains a population 
of 2,084 inhabitants. By [the proposed action] it will lose about one- 
sixth of its taxable property— a population of about 600 together with a 
considerable portion of that water power upon which the business and 
prosperity of the town much depends."* 

The old Connecticut road started from Cambridge, ran to Marlbor- 
ough, thence to Grafton, Oxford and Woodstock and on to Spriugfleld 
and Albany. It was intersected at Woodstock by the Providence Path, 
which ran through Narragansett and Providence plantations, and also 
by the Nipmuck Path, which came from Norwich. 

The new Connecticut road rau as did the old road from Boston to 
Albany. It was known at a later date as tiie Post Road. From Boston 
it ran to Marlborough, thence to Worcester, thence to Brookfield and so 
on to Springfield. In 1672 this road was only a pathway or trail through 
the forests. — Page 253. 

The famous Bay Path, laid out in 1073, left the old Connecticut Path 
at Happy Hollow, now Wayland, and ran through Marlborough to 
Worcester, Oxford, Charlton and Brookfield, where it separated in two 
paths, one the Hadley Path, running to Ware, Belchertown and Hadley, 
the other returning to the old Connecticut Path and on to Springfield.f 

* [Special Laws, 58.] Included in this territory was the tract originally set 
to Oxford in 1731. 

t In the History of Haarlem we road of a great excitement in Jan., 1673, 
"When the first monthly postman between Boston and New York drew up to 
the tavern with his ' portmantles' (portmanteaux) crammed with ' lettei's and 
small portable goods.' 

"This service was undertaken by the colonial government of New York and 
was sufficient for the time, as New England and New York were distinct colo- 
nies and did little business together." 

" In olden time at taverns letters and packages were originally taken and left 
on the table, to be well thumbed and critically examined till called for." 



English Chapters, 575 

The second road made in Oxford was styled the "Four-rod way," it 
led from the main road to the fort. "A high way laid out Feb. 6"' 
1714, by the Selectmen beginning att the Eight rod way on the South- 
wardly Sid of an orchard neer the old mill runing over the old mill 
brook to a rock ou the East of Said brooke from thence marked on the 
northwardly Side with mark trees tel it coms to barnous laud neer the 
north East Corner of Joseph Chamberliu's Seuer's home lot, said way 
being four rods wide." * 

From Oxford Records. On 24 November, 1729, it was voted that the 
bridge over the river on Woodstock road be paid for by the whole 
town. "This bridge was near the location of the present stone arch 
bridge on the Webster road." 

The "Old Connecticut road" proceeded from Cambridge up the 
northerly bank of Charles river to Waltham centre, thence to the north 
end of Cochituate pond in Framingham, thence southwesterly through 
Framingham, Hopkinton, Grafton, Oxford, Dudley, Woodstock and so 
on to Springfield and Hartford. 

Of the old " Woodstock Path " its descriptive record is found included 
in the " Old Connecticut road" or path to Woodstock and on to Spring- 
field and Hartford. 

At the junction of the Nipmuck and Providence paths at Woodstock 
from here a branch track proceeded to the northwest into Sturbridge, 
where it separated, one track going westerly past the lead mines and on 
to Springfield, the other keeping a northwesterly course and crossing 
the Quinebaug river near Fiskdale into Brirafleld, and so on to "the 
Falls" in Connecticut river, now Holyoke city. This northerly branch 
continued to be a well known Indian trail till the time of Philip's War, 
and was the English bridle-path and cartway till after the settlement of 
Brimfield in 1701. t 

The ancient fashion of the ordination of Rev. James Merriara, clergy- 
man of Newton, Mass. At a town meeting Dec. 9, 1757, it was " voted 
to confer with the Church in giving him a call, requesting him to supply 
the pulpit till his ordination, and fixing his yearly salary at £80, begin- 
ning with the date of his ordination, and fuel from the ' ministerial 
wood-lot,' together with £1000, old tenor, as an inducement for him to 



* Village Rec, p. 132. In the French settlement the home lot of Rev. Daniel 
Bondet. 

fin a diary of Josiah Wolcott on the anuouncemeut of Fort William Henry 
having been besieged by Marquis de Montcalm. See page 453. " Went away 
from Oxford Thursday August lltb 1757 went to Brimfield & lodged Friday 
at Springfield Saturdy at McKinstreys Sabbath day at Brewer's . . . Monday 
noon at Sheflield where we rec'd ord's to return home." 



576 The Records of Oxford. 

accept. The town also voted to defray the expenses of his ordination, 
which amounted to £13, 6 s., and chose a committee to confer with him 
as to 'what manner he would chose to come into town,' and to wait 
upon him accordingly. He was the last minister settled by the town, 
which bore the expenses of his fuueral, paying £60 for his coffin, and 
£31 for 4 barrel of beer and k cord of wood." 

1777, is given in Thatcher's Military Journal, published in New York 
at the time. 

"I am fortunate enough to obtain from our officers a particular 
account of the glorious event of the 7th inst. 

"The advanced parties of the two armies came into contact at half 
past two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, and immediately displayed their 
hostile attitude. The Americans soon approached the royal array, and 
each party in defiance awaited the deadly blow. The gallant Colonel 
Morgan at the head of his famous rifle corps, and Major Dearborn, 
leading a detachment of infantry, commenced the action with such 
intrepidity, that the works were carried and their brave commander 
Colonel Breyman was slain. 

"The Germans were pursued to their encampment, which, with all 
the equipage of the brigade, fell into our hands. Nightfall put a stop 
to our brilliant career though the victory was most decisive, and it is 
with pride and exultation that we recount the triumph of American 
bravery. 

" This was indeed a signal victory." 

The remains of Lady Ann, the wife of Sir Edmund Audros, Governor, 
were interred in King's Chapel Burying Ground in Boston. Which 
gives an account of funeral. 

"Lady Andros died in February, 1688. She was as much loved as 
her husband was feared and hated. Her death seemed to have softened 
the hearts of the people toward him for the time. There is in existence 
an unpublished letter from Mr. Ratcliffe to the Bishop of London which 
implies this, and it is, in itself, a picturesque description of a unique 
event. He says of her death : ' I believe the grief was universal, and 
many was the head bared on the street to the bereaved husband that 
before had i-emained stubbornly covered to the exalted Governor. His 
excellency left the ordering of the ceremonies to me, and, to make them 
more impressive, I arranged that they should be by torchlight, early in 
the evening. Everything favored; the South meeting house, which had 
been churlishly refused to Sir Edmund on his first arrival, was now 
freely tendered, and all the regiment turned out as a guard of honor to 
the hearse, which was drawn by six stately horses, the gentlemen of the 
council carrying banners, and some of the scholars (Harvard), who 



English Chapter's. 577 

volunteered, acting as torch bearers. The meeting house, which had 
never before been illuminated, was specially prepared with such torches 
as could be procured by ray sexton. It presented a strange aspect, its 
windows flaming with a ghastly light, and a great multitude thronging 
its porch and alleys, eager and intent upon the occasion which had 
called them together. When we approached with our solemn march 
and flashing tapers, the great bell tolling a mournful dirge, all became 
hushed, and way was respectfully made for the afflicted mourner, as he 
followed the coflin alone into the church. It had been the desire of 
Lady Andros, expressed privately to me, that her body might repose in 
some spot near unto the place where we contemplated building a church, 
" for," said she, with a sad smile, " I shall feel else lonely in one of the 
Boston burying fields surrounded by strangers to my own faith," and 
this was done according to her wish. And thus closed one of the 
sweetest lives, I venture to say, that New England ever hath seen.' " 

" Adams' Army." During the progress of the revolution in France, 
near the close of the last century, that country became involved in a 
war with England, and each party was solicitous lest America should 
give aid to the opponent. Meantime our authorities saw fit to initiate 
precautionary measures, and on 16 July, 1798, a vote was passed in 
Congress to augment the national army, and recruiting soon began. 

In the autumn of 1799, the 14th, 15th and 16th U. S. regiments,— a 
portion of this " provisional army,"— were ordered to Oxford as a rendez- 
vous. These regiments were not nearly full, but soldiers were being 
gathered from the several recruiting stations, and here drilled by veterans 
of the Revolutionary war for service should it be required. 

Col. Nathan Rice was in command. He was the son of Rev. Caleb 
Rice of Sturbridge, had been an aid to General Lincoln in the Revolution. 

The oflicers found quarters in various parts of the village, at private 
houses. Some hired rooms, and having their families with them lived 
independently; others boarded in families of the villagers. The head- 
quarters of Col. Rice were at the house of Capt. Abijah Davis. Maj. 
Walker was quartered at the house of Nathan Hall, and others lived at 
the hotels. The camp was on the slope of the hill west of the centre of 
the town. 

As to their number we have no definite information. According to 
tradition it was 1,000, but this is thought to be a low estimate. Col. 
Rice was officially the commander of the 14th Regiment, and John 
Walker was Major of the same. John Rowe was Major in the 15th 
Regiment, and Josiah Dunham, Captain in the IGth Regiment, was 
acting Brigade Inspector. Capt. Tolman from Boston or vicinity had 
command of a company. Lieut. Francis Barker of Weymouth or 
vicinity was an oflicer. Eli Forbes and Thomas Hale, both of North 



578 The Records of Oxfoi'd. 

Brookfleld, were here, the former as a lieutenant and the latter as 
captain in the 15th Regiment. 

Freake. 

"June 18, 1683, Joseph Dudley conveyed for £250 to Thomas Freake 
of Hanniugton (Wiltshire, England) two thousand acres of forest land 
in the Nipmuck country, part of a greater quantity purchased of Black 
James, ' as the same shall be set out by a surveyor'; 2000 acres in upland 
and meadow, at a certain place called and known by the natives Quinna- 
tisset, were also made over by Stoughton, in consideration of £200 
current money, to Robert Thompson of North Newington, Middlesex, 
England, a very noted personage ; president of the Society for the Prop- 
agation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and a firm and devoted friend of 
the colonies. The land thus purchased was laid out in June, 1C84, by 
John Gore of Roxbury, under the supervision of William Dudley, 
Colonel. 

"Freake's farm included the site of the present Thompson village. 
Freake's farm came into the possession of Josiah Wolcott of Salem and 
his wife Mary Freake, a niece of Thomas Freake. A part of this tract 
was granted by the Massachusetts government to its native proprietors, 
Black James and his associates, and was conveyed by them to Stoughton 
and Dudley and laid out in farms in 1684 and then left for thirty years 
to wild beasts and savages. Thompson and Freake, the largest land- 
holders, were now resident Englishmen ; the holders of land under grants 
from Massachusetts hastened to identify and appropriate their pos- 
sessions. Dudley, Stoughton and Black James secured their portions 
at once, but the other grantors met many obstacles. 

" The boundaries of Thompson's and Freake's land are so defaced and 
overgrown that even the practiced eye of Capt. John Church failed to 
discover them, at length with the assistance of Col. William Dudley 
and Benjamin Gambling, who had aided in the original survey, 'a tree 
marked F ' was found on Fort Hill, and measuring from it they came 
upon other marked trees and monuments, and were able to identify and 
refresh the bounds of the five thousand acre tract. The Thompson 
land was then confirmed to Joseph Thompson of England, Freake's 
farm to Josiah Wolcott. Mr. Wolcott sold four hundred acres to Capt. 
John Sabin, made over to his son, who settled there with his family, the 
first resident proprietor of Quinnatisset, now Thompson Hill. The red 
tavern, long occupied by Mr. Sabin, became one of the most noted way- 
marks between Boston and Harlfoi'd. The remaining sixteen hundred 
acres of Freake's farm were held many years by Esquire Wolcott (of 
Oxford, Mass.)." — Miss Larned's History of Windham County. 



Eitglish CJiapters. 579 

English Trading Houses. 

In the last century commerce was very limited, the trading house was 
usually adjoining the tavern. William Davis was a trader at the centre, 
1739-43. Duncan Campbell at the North Common was licensed to sell 
tea, coffee and chiuaware, 1750, '54, '65, '58, '61. Duncan Campbell in a 
deed dated May 27, 1754, conveyed to Josiah Wolcott a landed estate 
with a mansion house fronting on the South Common ; with this prop- 
erty there was included a stable, tailor's shop and warehouse, all of 
them, or partly, on the 8-rod way. 

Mr. Wolcott was engaged in trade from 1753-1795, as an account 
book is still preserved. From 1776-87 his son John was associated with 
him as a trader. May 11, 1772, Samuel Manning conveys to Josiah 
Wolcott his landed estate. Josiah Wolcott rents to Benjamin Trow "a 
small piece of land out of Manning's h, of an acre so called to set a 
Blacksmith's shop upon at 6. pr. yr." " You to pay all taxes." 1792, 
" Benj Trow Dr. to Josiah Wolcott to Rent to a small piece of land to 
set your shop on pr. yr. to Sept. 1, 1792." Moved it August 29, 1792. 
Sept. 8, 1798, the heirs of Josiah Wolcott conveyed to James Gleason 
the entire estate. 

In 1792 Andrew Sigourney purchased of Edward H. Wolcott the 
land on the southeast corner of the Sutton road and Main street. 
In 1793 the remaining part of the estate of John Wolcott. Sigourney 
rented the house to tenants until 1817, when the present brick mansion 
was erected, which he occupied until his decease. This estate was very 
valuable, extending easterly to the brook on the Si>tton road, and on 
Main street nearly to the site of the Episcopal church, being the estate 
of Thomas Gleason, an original proprietor. Upon the street door of 
this Sigourney mansion was a hinge knocker, as at this time it was the 
fashion. Upon the doors of the gentry were great brass knockers 
ornamented with griffin heads or with the American eagle. 

It is said Wolcott occupied the northeast corner of this estate, con- 
taining h. acre, for a trading house from 1767 to 1795, and that this 
trading house was once the ancient school-house and that its ruins were 
on the land when conveyed to James Gleason. Mr. Wolcott was 
engaged in trade for more than 40 years in Oxford. 

Another beautiful relic of the ancient Wolcott mansion was the 
beaufet which was built into the wall of the parlor, and upon the interior 
of the gracefully curving top is carved a shell-shaped " Sunbui'st," whose 
rays run down to the top shelf. The shelves themselves are narrow and 
curiously carved and serrated, and all of the most unusually suitable 
shape for displaying to advantage the old heirlooms of china and glass 
which are contained within the cupboard. 



580 The Records of Oxford. 

A letter from Anthony Sigourney, Jr., of Boston, subsequently of 
Oxford, who was in the company of Capt. Jeremiah Kingsbury in Col. 
Holman's regiment, as was also his brother, Andrew Sigourney : 

Harlem, September 26, 1776. 

"We have very narrowly escaped with our lives, for the British Men 
of War came upon each side of us and kept a continuing firing and we 
had to march through the midst of them. They landed their men about 
eleven o'clock, and we being tired out marching with our knapsacks, we 
were obliged to retreat. 

"We were just out of the shipping then the Regulars came out of the 
woods and fired upon us (a main) . We lost four men out of our company 
and a great many lost their knapsacks and all they had they were so beat 
out with marching. 

"I saved all my things and Andrew his. Such a day no body ever saw. 
We retreated about seven miles from where we were stationed and then 
we made stand. This was Sunday, the fifteenth of September, and on 
Monday they followed upon us again, and our men being in high spirits 
stood there and fought them there four hours and our men drove them 
two or three miles, all in the open field and they have been peaceable ever 
since. There was considerable loss on both sides. There were no Ox- 
ford (men) lost but are pretty well. 

"We have fared very hard since we came up here. I have not had my 
clothes ofl' ever since for we have expected them out upon us. 

"Mr. Sigourney states he has sold some of his clothing. We have 
nothing to shelter us but the clouds and neither have had since we have 
been here, but they talk of building barracks for us. Now we do not 
draw any bread but fiour and so make dough-boys and boil them in the 
pot and bake them in the ashes. The Regulars have taken the city of 
New York but since they have had it, it got a fire and burnt a great part 
of it up, it burned all one night and a part of the next day. 

"The Hessians give no quarter to our men, and we none to them." 

A second letter, dated November 2, 1776, from Mr. Sigourney to Mrs. 
Sigourney : 

"We have had a smart battle. Our regiment was in the front. We 
had one killed and some wounded in our company. I had a slight wound 
in my hand but now almost recovered. 

"We had no breastwork to defend us, but all in the open field, and 
there was such a cloud of them, and but few of us, that they drove us 
half a mile, and the balls did fiy merrily. 

"Andrew is well and remembers his love to you all. He wishes his 
own love to his mother, and kind regards to Mr. Hovey and family." 



English Chapters. 581 

Andrew Sigourney was associated with James Butler in an English 
trading house at Oxford from 1784 to 1787, then he removed to Oxford 
Plains on his marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of Josiah Wolcott, and 
resided in an ancient house on the Sutton road near his store on the 
northeast corner of the Sutton road and Main Street. This old trading 
house was removed to a site more easterly on the Sutton road and a 
new store erected in its place. Andrew Sigourney's trading house con- 
tinued from 1787 to 1816. 

Early in 1800 recruiting was suspended. 

"Brigade Orders, Camp at Oxford, 20 March, 1800. 

" Extract of general Orders from the Adjutant General's office, dated 
11 Mar., 1800. 

"Agreeably to instructions from the department of War the recruiting 
service as far as relates to 12 Regiments of Infantry and six troops of 
light dragoons directed to be raised by act of Congress, 16 July, 1798, is 
for the present suspended. 

"All officers on recruiting service will join their regiments. The offi- 
cers of the 14th, 15th, and 16th regiments will govern themselves accord- 
ingly and repair immediately with the troops under their respective 
commands to the Brigade Head Quarters at Oxford. 

"By order of the Commandant, 
"J. Dunham, 

" Acting Inspector of Brigade."* 

DiSBANDMENT. 

On 20 May, 1800, the United States Senate passed a resolution, nem' 
con., the House of Representatives concurring, to disband the " Provis- 
ional Army" on or before the 15th of June following. This action applied 
to the infantry regiments from the fifth to the sixteenth inclusive. Early 
in June preparations were made here for compliance with this vote. On 
the 11th the Boston Centinel contained the following : — 

"Maj.-Gen. Hamilton, we learn has been at Oxford for some time, to 
give the necessary directions for the preservation of the public stores in 
consequence of the disbandment of the army." 

The visit of Gen. Alexander Hamilton to Oxford on the occasion of 
the disbanding was a memorable event, as will be seen by the following 
letter written at Oxford and sent from Providence to the Centinel, in 
which it appeared on 21 June : — 

"Oxford, June 13. 

"On Tuesday last Maj.-Gen. Hamilton with his suite arrived at this 
place, and on the succeeding day he reviewed the Brigade under the 



*Adv. in Boston Centinel. 



^82 TJic Records of Oxford. 

command of Col. Rice. Ou this occasion the troops performed their 
manceuvers with that exactness and activity which manifested attention 
in the men and superiority in the officers. The General expressed an 
unequivocal approbation of the discipline of the army and beheld with 
pleasure the progress of subordination and attention to dress and de- 
corum. On Thursday the General made a public dinner to which all the 
officers of the Brigade and several gentlemen of the permanent army 
were invited. A convenient colonnade was erected for the purpose, 
over which the flag of the United States was displayed, and during the 
entertainment the air was filled with martial music from a new formed 
band and from a large collection of drums and fifes. Hilarity and joy 
pervaded the guests . . . but when they drank to the memory of 
Washington ! and a parting sentiment was given by Gen. Hamilton a 
burst of extreme sensibility sufl'used every cheek and demonstrated the 
agitation of every bosom. 

"But Friday was reserved for a more prominent display of the passions 
of the human mind. At 7 o'clock in the morning the Brigade was formed 
into a hollow square when the General addressed his fellow-soldiers in a 
speech of about half an hour in length. On this occasion the troops were 
moved, not merely on account of this last interview with their General, 
but by the impressive sentiments which fell from his lips, enforced by 
the most charming eloquence and pointed diction. I cannot give even 
an epitome of this address. Suffice it to observe that he inculcated sen- 
timents suitable for directing the conduct of the army subsequent to its 
retirement into private life— such sentiments as awakened and I trust 
will keep alive the patriotism of the officers and men : and induce them 
again, at the call of l^ieir country to make new sacrifices for its defence. 

"This day he sets out on a visit eastward." 

The Centinel of 18 June contained the following :— 

"Maj.-Gen. Hamilton and his suite arrived in town on Saturday from 
Oxford. Tomorrow a public dinner will be given him at Concert 
Hall." 

This dinner was a grand aflair, and many of the leading men of Boston 
joined to do honor to their illustrious guest. Among the toasts given 
were the following :— 

"The late disbanded Armij,— may we respect them for the services they 
would have performed had our insidious Friends presented a bayonet 
instead of an olive branch." 

''The Atlantic Ocean,— what God hath separated let not man put to- 
gether." 



English Chapters. 583 

"Washington's Funeral. 

An impressive episode in the story of tliis "Army" was the funeral 
service in honor of George Washington. On 8 Jan., 1800, by order of 
Col. Rice, the following appeared in the Massachusetts Spy :— 

" FUNERAL HONORS AT OXFORD. 

" Oxford, Jan. 4, 1800. 
"Mess. Thomas & Son. 

"The President having directed that Funeral Honors should be per- 
formed at the several Military stations throughout the United States to 
the Memory of our late beloved highly venerated and most illustrious 
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF whose talents as an officer and virtues as a 
man had placed him above all praise, I have directed that the same be 
performed at this post on Wednesday the Fifteenth instant. 

"Confident that the most poignant grief for so great a National 
Calamity hath pervaded every part of our country, and particularly the 
citizens of this vicinity, and that it would afford them consolation to 
unite with us in performing these sad rites, I request that through your 
paper information may be given thereof. The Clergy— the Society of 
the Cincinnati and Officers of the late Army— Officers civil and military 
—Citizens in general are invited to attend : and it is hoped with the 
usual badge of mourning on the left arm. 

"The procession will be formed precisely at 11 O'clock and proceed to 
the Meeting-house where it is expected divine worship will be performed ; 
after which it will proceed to the place representing that of interment, 
and the ceremonies performed agreeable to the instructions therefor. 

"It is requested that seasonable information may be given by the 
Commanding Officers of such Volunteer Corps and Uniformed Companies 
of Militia as will attend on the occasion. 

"N. Rice, 
"Commandant of the 14th Regiment 
and Commanding Officer at Oxford." 

The Spy of 22 Jan., 1800, contained tlie following:— 

"On Wednesday the 15th inst. Funeral Honors were paid by the troops 
stationed at Oxford to the memory of their illustrious leader General 
GEORGE WASHINGTON. At day break 16 guns were fired from the 
left of the Cantonment by a company of Worcester Artillery, commanded 
by Capt. Ilealy : at sunrise another gun was fired, which was repeated 
each half hour through the day. At 11 O'clock the troops having been 
formed, moved from their parade by platoons and formed in the Main 
Street : a company of Cavalry under the command of Capt. [Jeremiah] 
Kingsbury formed on their left, the whole commanded by Maj. Walker 



584 



The Records of Oxford. 



of the 14th Regiment and two companies of Artillery under the orders of 
Major Andrews on their right. Thus formed, at 12 O'clock, the Hearse, 
covered with a black velvet Pall bearing an Urn shrouded with black 
crape and accompanied by the Pall Bearers in mourning and with white 
scarfs, was received by the troops with presented arms, the drums beat- 
ing a march while it passed slowly in front to the left : the Officers and 
colors saluting as it passed ; from the left it was borne back to the cen- 
tre where it halted and received the salute of all the Officers and colors 
alone. It was then removed to its place in the procession, which then 
moved, by the left, in the order following, the music playing a Dead 
March : 

Company of Cavalry. 

16th, 15th and 14th Regiments of United States troops. 

Artillery. 

Band of Music. 

Drums and fifes of the Brigade. 

[Drums covered with crape and muflled.] 

Clergy. 

Orator and officiating Clergyman with white scarfs. 



Pall Bearers, 
Capt. Balch. 
Maj. Jones. 
Maj. Winslow. 



BIER 

Bearing the Urn, covered as 
before mentioned, a ' W in 
gold cipher on the Urn, and 
a laurel wreath running spi- 
rally from the base to the 
top. The General's Hat and 
Sword placed at the head of 
the Bier, which was borne 
by four Sergeant Majors. 

THE GENERAL'S HORSE 



Pall Bearers, 



Capt. Tillinghast. 



Maj. Lynde. 



Col. Hunnewell. 



Covered with black properly caparisoned, boots reversed, led by two 

servants in livery. 

Col. Rice, Commandant, 

As chief mourner— with staff. 

Officers of the Army 

with badges of mourning. 

Civil Staff of the Army. 

Members of the Society of the Cincinnati and 

Officers of the late Army. 



English Chapters. 585 

Brethren of the ' Morning Star,' 'Fayette,' 'Meridian Sun' and 

' Olive Branch' Lodges in the following order : 

Tyler 

With a drawn sword, the hilt covered with crape. 

Two Tylers, do. 

Two Stewards 

"With white staves, the tops covered with crape tied with white 

Kibands — black and white tassels. 

Brethren of the several Lodges. 

Secretaries of the Lodges 

With the records covered with crape. 

Treasurers, 

bearing charters covered with crape. 

Junior Wardens. 

Senior Wardens 

bearing their columns covered with crape. 

Past Masters. 

Three Master Masons walking triangularly with the three candlesticks 

covered with crape, lights extinguished. 

Three Masons walking triangularly, each bearing a staff, the head of 

which was covered with crape and a white silk cord— black and white 

tassels. On each staff hung a pendant of white silk bordered with black. 

On one pendant was ' Wisdom,' on another ' Strength' and on the third 

' Beauty.' 

Monumental Obelisk 
borne by four oldest Master Masons supported by four more. 
The Obelisk and its Pedestal were four and a half feet high, repre- 
senting black marble ; on the front of it was a bast of General Wash- 
ington and over it a motto, ' He lives in our Hearts ' ; above the 
motto the square and compass. On the other three sides of the Obelisk 
were represented Faith, Hope and Charity, and above them the corre- 
sponding Masonic emblems ; the whole in Bas Relief. On the Pedestal 
was inscribed the General's name, where born, when Commander of tlie 
late Army, when President of Congress, &c., &c. 

Two Master Masons bearing a large and elegant 
SILVER URN 
beautifully decorated with a wreath of evergreens intermixed with 
flowers and the [laurel branch] in front. 
Three brethren walking triangularly with large silver candle- 
sticks without lights. 
Tyler 
with his sword as before mentioned. 



586 The Records of Oxford. 

The Constitution and Sacred Writings 

on blacls cusliions, &c., borne by two Past Masters. 

Ttiree Masters of Lodges. 

A brother of the Royal Arch 

bearing a silver Urn. 

Presiding Master. 

Deacon. Deacon. 

Each with a black stafi", the head covered with white crape tied with 

black riband, black and white tassels. 

Officers of the Militia. 

Sheriffs. 
Justices of the Peace. 
Gentlemen of the Bar and Physicians. 
Other Citizens. 
"The citizens were marshalled by Capt. Hamilton of Worcester. It 
is supposed the procession and the spectators amounted to 5,000 persons. 
"On the arrival of the procession at the Meeting-house the troops 
formed the lines, opened their ranks, and faced inward, resting upou 
their arms reversed ; the procession passed through into the house, led 
by the clergy, the band playing a solemn dirge; the pulpit, communion 
table and galleries were wholly shrouded in black; the hearse being 
placed at the head of the broad aisle, the brethren of the Fraternity of 
Masons elevated the obelisk on the right of the hearse, and on the left 
placed their lights, silver urn, &c., on a large pedestal covered with 
black, during which the band from the gallery contiuued to fill the 
house with solemn music; thus arranged, the throne of grace was 
addressed by Rev. Mr. Austin of Worcester, after which another solemn 
dirge by the band. An eulogy was then pronounced by Capt. Josiah 
Dunham, of the 16th regiment of United States Infantry, in which he 
strikingly portrayed the virtues and services of the late Commander-in- 
Chief, and observed justly that Five Millions of people were, with one 
voice, expressing sorrow and grief at their loss. After the eulogy fol- 
lowed a solemn funeral dirge by the Band, during which the Fraternity, 
in mournful silence and in proper order, deposited their large silver urn 
and raised the Obelisk over it. A short but solemn fuueral service was 
performed by the Fraternity, which closed the solemnities in the Meet- 
ing-house. 

"The procession was again formed, and left the Meeting-house in the 
same order in which it arrived there ; marching one mile in the Main 
Street, which being very broad, straight and level, afforded to a numer- 
ous body of spectators an opportunity of viewing the whole procession 
at once, during which time the bell, being muffled, tolled a solemn 



English Chapters. 587 

Knell, and minute guns were fired from the Artillery. On the arrival at 
the place of Deposit the troops again forming a line and resting on their 
arms reversed, the procession passed through, and the Hearse, reaching 
its destined spot, the Urn was deposited in the earth, the music again 
played a solemn dirge. The order of the President and of Gen. Hamil- 
ton was read to the troops, a detachment of Infantry advanced and fired 
three volleys over the Urn, after which the Masonic brethren placed a 
monument over it. The troops being again formed, the colors were 
unfurled and the drums unmuffled, the troops wheeled to the right by 
platoons, the President's March was played, and they moved to their 
quarters and were dismissed. The Fraternity retired to their temporary 
Lodge, which was immediately closed. 

"The solemnities ended with the setting sun. The appearance and 
movements of the troops gave great satisfaction, and bore honorable 
testimony of the military address and executions of the oflicers." 

For many years the "Urn" was preserved in the attic of the South 
meeting-house, where the ceremonies were held, and later in the house 
of Capt. Abijah Davis. It was of wood, about three feet in height, and 
was silver gilt with a monogram " W." in gold, on the side. 

Note.—" A Cavalry Company existed in Oxford for more than 25 years. 
Jeremiah Kingsbury, Jr., was in command in 1797. It was composed of men 
from different parts of the county. In Feb., 1808, Kingsbury had been several 
years Lieut.-Col. of a battalion of cavalry, 1st Brigade, 7th Division, Mass. 
Militia, and then resigned." 

Ancestry.— Col. Jeremiah Kingsbury was the son of Capt. Jeremiah (See 
Army Records) and Ruth (Ballard) Kingsbury, descended from Joseph Kings- 
bury of Dedham, 1637. He was a Captain of cavalry; in April, ISOo, Lieut.- 
Col. of cavalry. Col. Kingsbury was a gentleman extensively liuown in the 
southern part of Worcester County. 

Josiah Kingsbury of Needham in 1726 purchased a large landed estate of 600 
acres in Oxford (now Webster) known as the Hobart Grant. Josiah con- 
veyed to his son Theodore 250 acres, the northern part of estate, and to his son 
Josiah^ 350 acres, " taking in the brook (Sucker brook) which runneth out of 
the Chaubunagungamaug pond." In 1705 Josiah Kingsbury conveyed to his 
son Jeremiah one-half of his estate and to his son Josiah a part of his estate. 

August, 1753, John Higginson of Salem, who had married Elizabeth, widow 
of Peter Papillon, conveyed to Josiuh Kingsbury 250 acres of the Papillon 
estate, bounded east on the village line, west by Gibbs lot, north by [Richard] 
Williams or Coburn's lot. April, 1764, Josiah Kingsbury to his "sou Amasa 
140 acres; a daughter of Amasa conveyed to Richard Olney, May, 1826, 170 
acres of land. 

Schools. 

In 1734 £24 were voted for a school to be kept at four places in the 
town. 



588 The Records of Oxford. 

In 1735 it was voted to divide the town into four parts for the 
" scool" to be kept at six weelvs in each part. 

March, 1738, one central school-house was proposed, and voted to 
build 14 by 20 feet with a chimney at each end. "To be set near the 
meeting-house." Until this time the schools had been kept in private 
houses. 

May, 1738, voted that the votes referring to the school-house should 
be void and of none eflect. 

In 1739 voted £30 for schools and other expenses. 

In 1740 voted all school-houses to be built by subscription and that 
they may set the school-houses as they shall agree. 

The first school-house in Oxford was located near the church on the 
south common. It was one of the two school-houses named in 1760 in 
the south part of the town. In 1760 the town records state that schools 
for the south part of the town should be at the two school-house, thus 
showing at this date there were previously two houses in the town. 

Prospect Hill and vicinity may draw their part of the money except 
some small part towards the extraordinary expense of hiring a gram- 
mar school master to prevent the town from being liable to a fine. 

In 1767 the town was fined £5 for not keeping a grammar school. 

In 1767 the school-house on the Plain near Jonathan Fuller's on the 
Sutton road was built, and also one not far from Jonathan Pratt's, in a 
lane east of Town's pond, was built at the same date, showing there 
were at this date four school-houses in Oxford. 

Jonathan Fuller resided at the house near Sigourney Corner, north 
side of the Sutton road, known for many years as the residence of the 
late Capt. Andrew Sigourney, Sen. 

It is said the first hornbooks contained only the alphabet, which was 
sometimes written and sometimes carved in the wood. Devotional 
booklets for children opening with ABC. The hornbook in England 
appeared about the time of the Reformation and went out of use near 
the commencement of the present century. 



Dame School. 

The rod, which was a very important adjunct to the teacher, was 
known as the Sally, its use being to secure the attention of the children 
to the lesson, who were arranged in a semicircle, of which the teacher 
was the centre. If a scholar's eye was seen wandering from the book 
or any listlessness, even a whisper, the offender received punishment 
from the Sally. 



English Chapters. 589 

Schools in New England in Old Colony Times. 

It was not until after the settlement of Boston by the Puritans that 
birth was given to the first New Enaland school, under the name of the 
"Free Latin," or "Latin Grammar School," on the thirteenth day of 
April, 1635, — a period only of Ave years having elapsed after the settle- 
ment of the town. In that most pleasing diary left by Gov. John Win- 
throp, of the condition of things in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay 
from 1630 to 1649, he relates (1645) : " Divers free schools were erected, 
as at Roxbury (for maintenance of which every inhabitant bound some 
house or land, for a yearly allowance, forever) and at Boston (where 
was made an order to allow forever fifty pounds to the master, and an 
house and thirty pounds to an usher, who should also teach to read and 
write and cipher, and Indians' children were to be taught freely, and the 
charge to be by yearly contribution, either by voluntary allowance or 
by rate of such as refused, etc.), and this order was confirmed by the 
General Court; other towns did the like, providing maintenance by 
several means." Commenting upon the above, the editor, Hon. James 
Savage, says: "Our fathers probably attempted, without coercion of 
law, to secure instruction for their children equal to that which them- 
selves had enjoyed in England, but soon perceived the necessity of a 
sanction for this duty." In the voluntary support of schools perhaps 
Boston led the way, for as early as 1635 a vote was passed by the 
authorities, " that our brother Philemon Pormont shall be entreated to 
become schoolmaster for the teaching and nurturing of children with 
us." Pormont was disbarred, and left Boston on account of his relig- 
ious views, and was succeeded in office by Mr. Daniel Maude in the fol- 
lowing year, when Sir Henry Vane became governor, who contributed 
ten pounds to the fund for the support of the schoolmaster. John 
Winthrop, then Deputy Governor, also subscribed ten pounds, and 
others in like proportion, according to their means, among whom was 
Mr. llobert Keayne, the first commander of the Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery Company, who subscribed twenty shillings. 

And thus the system of free schools had its rise in New England, 
where it has obtained its full growth and prosperity. It may be said to 
have extended over the civilized world, until free education has become 
a permanent blessing wherever the Christian religion is taught. 

In the days of Queen Elizabeth education among the common classes 
of England was at a low ebb; notwithstanding, it flourished among the 
richer people. The example of Shakespeare is held out to us as one 
reason why he could not have written his plays, because he had but 
little education, unequal to that of most of the great writers of his day; 
but they have omitted the fact that the genius of the man overcame 



^go The Records of Oxford. 

every obstacle, of which the want of an early education was undoubtedly 
the most important. 

The country schoolmaster of the days of Elizabeth was often a cleri- 
cal dunce of no learning, and frequently to his teaching added the 
occupation of a conjurer. In the Comedy of Errors, " Pinch, that 
hungry, lean-faced villain," is described as " a schoolmaster and a con- 
jurer." According to that learned writer, Roger Ascham, at one time 
preceptor of Queen Elizabeth and later on her Latin secretary, and the 
first writer on education known in the English language, the country 
schoolmasters in the reigns of Elizabeth and James were, in general, 
many degrees below the pedagogue of Shakespeare in ability ; their 
chief characteristics were tyranny and ignorance; they did not even 
possess the ordinary necessary knowledge to instil the merest rudiments 
of learning. Another writer of that day says, "Bad masters are a 
general plague and complaint of the whole land ; for one discreet and 
able teacher you shall find twenty ignorant and careless, and where they 
make one scholar they mar ten." If the leading features of the country 
schoolmaster in the mother-country were ignorance, despotism, and 
self-sufficiency, as most writers assert, what must have been the condi- 
tion of the youthful minds under their charge? And it may be asserted 
without fear of contradiction that among other things opened up by the 
first settlers, that of free education was deemed to be of the greatest 
value. 

How the first free schools were supported the records of the General 
Court of Massachusetts testify : they were endowed by lands rented on 
long leases, and the grant of several tracts of land, and islands in the 
Bay as early as 1G35, and in 1G37 a grant of thirty acres of land at Muddy 
Brook, now the beautiful town of Brookline, was confirmed for the pay- 
ment of teachers. In 1G41 Deer Island, in Boston Harbor, was ordered 
to be improved for the maintenance of the free school of the town of 
Boston. In 1044 the island was leased for three years for the same 
purpose at seven pounds per annum, and again in 1647 for an additional 
seven years at fourteen pounds per annum, for the school's use in " pro- 
vision and clothing." At Braintree five hundred acres of land were 
leased for forty shillings per annum, for the use of the town school. 

The first town school in Dorchester (now a part of Boston) was 
formed in 1639, and was styled a " Grammar School for Instruciion in 
English, Latin, and Other Tongues," and was partially supported out of 
an endowment in the lands of the beautiful Thompson's Island in Boston 
harbor. Oftentimes the teacher received for tuition a part of his salary 
in produce. Thus in Dorchester, Thompson's Island not being so lucra- 
tive as to pay the teacher his entire salary, he received four bushels of 



E^igUsh Chapters. cqi 

Indian corn from the parent of one scholar, from another two bushels, 
and from a third two bushels of peas ; also the cost of fuel was assessed 
on " them who send their children to school." In 1688 it was provided 
that " those who send children to the school shall bring for each child a 
load of wood." If the parents did not supply the wood or pay the tax 
for fuel before the 29th of October, annually, their children could have 
"no privilege of the Are." This seems to us a harsh measure, but it 
was not to the fathers of early days, who on Sundays sat through 
sermons of two to three hours' duration in the freezing atmosphere of a 
Puritan meeting-house. 

The first historical reference we have to education in New England is 
in a letter written by Gov. Matthew Cradock, as he was called in Eng- 
land, to John Endicott in 1628, and relates to the instruction of the 
children of the Indians in these words : "To train up some of the Indian 
children to reading and religion." Cradock never came to this country, 
yet he was honored in early colonial times as first governor of the 
Colony; but he was, in fact, only the head of a commercial company, 
not the ruler of the people. To him, however, is due the idea and 
honor of proposing the transfer of the government from this commer- 
cial company, of which he was the head, to the inhabitants here. And, 
as the attention of town after town in Massachusetts Bay was drawn to 
the free education of the children, so in the other Colonies of New Eno-- 
land schools were formed "for the encouragement of the poorer sort, 
and to train up their youth in learning." 

The honor of establishing the Common School system of the United 
States by legislation belongs to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
The first law making education universal was passed by the General 
Court, June 14, 1642, at a session called to consider " the great neglect 
in many parents and masters in training up their children in learning." 

The Act of 1647 made the support of public schools compulsory, and 
education universal and free to all, though it was not compulsory in 
obliging the attendance of all children, nor did it raise the funds for 
their support by public taxation. As this was the first law of its kind 
in the world, it is published entire : — 

Massachusetts Ordinance of 1647. 

It being one chiefe project of that ould deluder, Satan, to keepe men 
from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in former times by keeping 
them in an unknown tongue, so in these latter times by persuading from 
the use of tongues, that so at least the true sence and meaning of the 
originall might be clouded by false glosses of saint seeming deceivers, 
that learning may not be buried in the grave of our fathers in the Church 
and Commonwealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors :— 



592 The Records of Oxford. 

It is therefore ordered, that every township in this jurisdiction, after 
the Lord hath increased them to the number of 50 Iiouseholders, shall 
then forthwith appoint one within their towne to teach all such children 
as shall resort to him to write and reade, whose wages shall be paid 
either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants 
iu generall, by way of suppljs as the major part of those that order the 
prudentials of the towne shall appoint; Provided, those that send their 
children be not oppressed by paying much more than they can have 
them taught in other townes; — 

And it is further ordered that where any towne shall increase to the 
number of 100 families or householders they sliall set up a grammar 
schoole, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so farr as they 
may be fitted for the university. Provided, that if any towne neglect the 
performance hereof above one yeare, every such town shall pay 63 to 
the next schoole till they shall perform this order. 

Lord Macaulay called the attention of Parliament and all England to 
this noble document, declaring it to be worthy of the wisest men of any 
age. 

In " The Three Episodes of Massachusetts History," Charles Francis 
Adams says that the school was so far distant in the town of Quincy 
that for the smaller children such a walk as they were obliged to take 
was generally found too severe, and provision was made for local or 
"dame" schools, for which specific sums, varying from four dollars to 
forty dollars, were annually appropriated. But we are told in the 
biography of the poet Shenstone (born 1714) that he was taught to read 
at what was termed a dame school, and the poet immortalized his ven- 
erable preceptress by his poem of the "Schoolmistress"; so that the 
dame school was not born with the early settlers, but was brought over 
by them from England in very early colonial days. 

Distinguished Educators. 

Mrs. Emma Willard. 

Extracts from a sketch of Mrs. Emma Willard by Rev. E. B. Hunting- 
ton. Mrs. Willard is most eminent as a lady who has attained a high 
rank as a professional educator of the nineteenth century and devoted 
to educational literature. She had been most carefully educated. To 
complete a more perfect picture of Mrs. Willard as a model character 
we must go back to her early years in the parish of Worthington, in 
Britain, Ct. Very sweet are the lessons of kindness mingled in the 
instruction given by the mother in her every day charities to those in 
the parish, to whom she ever showed her interest in their welfare by 
her little acts of beneficence which were to live again in the life of her 



English Chapters. 593 

daughter. Impressions made by the mother upon her little family 
taught the necessity of mailing life happy by doing acts of love even to 
the poor brute who is so dependent upon them for enjoyment. Mrs. 
Willard ever referred to these lessons as sweet memories of her mother, 
when she recalled to her mind, "The mother distributing bits of 
refuse wool at the farm-house, which were of no value to the home 
economy, and teaching her little ones how to leave it about on the 
hedges for a hint to the birds to build their fleece lined nests near to the 
home which she would have blest by their sweet songs." From these 
early lessons and home culture Mrs. Willard received her active and 
wide reaching benevolence. On leaving this home she was introduced 
into a boarding-school life, being placed under the care of Mrs. Royce 
and of the Misses Patten in Hartford, Ct., that noble city of all that is 
good and lovely to form the character of youth. Very soon Mrs. 
Willard leaves school to become herself interested as an educator of 
youth. She was a devout communicant in the Protestant Episcopal 
church. In all her study and life work " her approval has been to God's 
Word for her standard and law." 

" Mrs. Willard became greatly interested in the schools of her native 
State and also of New York in suggesting new plans of teaching. At 
one time Mrs. Willard travelled 1,000 miles in her own carriage visiting 
schools. Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, one of her personal friends, speaking 
of this great tour in one of her letters to Mrs. Willard, says : ' I should 
consider it an honor to wipe the dust fi'om your chariot wheels as they 
passed on in that career of benevolence.' " 

Mrs. Willai'd visited Europe, travelling in Germany, France, Switzer- 
land and Belgium as accessory or tributary still to her life devotion for 
observation and learning. In 1851 she received a medal at the World's 
Fair in London for her work, " The Temple of Time and Chronographer 
of Ancient History." The certiflcate of testimonial, signed lay Prince 
Albert, was no empty tribute to the distinguished author. Mrs. 
Willard on visiting Europe established a school in Greece for young 
ladies. 

Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. 

Extracts from a sketch of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe by Rev. E. P. 
Parker. (Harriet Beecher Stowe is truly an eminent lady of the nine- 
teenth century.) Mrs. Stowe, though early deprived of her mother, lov- 
ingly describes her character, " She was a woman of extraordinary talent, 
rare culture, fine taste, sweet and gentle temper. And then from her 
Christian faith, with all its intrinsic simplicity and beauty, there ema- 
nated an influence which the child never outgrew. 

"Mrs. Stowe when a child, being deprived of her mother, was con- 



594 ^^^^ Records of Oxford. 

signed to her deceased mother's sister to be educated. Of her pleasant 
life in the farm house and of her dear grandmother she gives a vivid 
description, who read the evening service after supper from a great 
prayer-book with such impressiveness as touched the child's heart, and 
then the home picture of her Aunt Harriet is so lovingly described, and 
adds, the little white farm-house under the hill was a paradise to us, 
and the sight of its chimneys after a day's ride was like a vision of 
Eden ! " 

Mrs. Stowe on her father's second marriage again returns to her 
home, where not only in the home-life, but in the society of Litchfield, 
Ct., and as a member of the celebrated Mrs. Pierce's boarding-school, 
her own education is perfected and all those rare natural endowments 
that she possessed were cultivated in no ordinary manner by these 
eligible surroundings. 

The town of Litchfield was renowned for its great number of culti- 
vated scholarly gentlemen who were residents of the place with their 
families. Mrs. Stowe when in Paris was often visited by an elderly 
French gentleman who had in early life passed some years in Litchfield 
as a law student; in his conversation with Mrs. Stowe he frequently 
dwelt upon the society of Litchfield as the most charming in the world, 
and in such a society were passed the early years of Mrs. Stowe. 

From Litchfield and Hartford boarding-schools Mrs. Stowe is ushered 
into the path of a public educator and an author of rare attainments, 
aflbrdiug to the world a model of woman's influence as a philanthropist. 
All her writings are of great interest, "but one definite purpose took 
possession of her mind. That the whole system of slavery must be shown 
up as it really was! She now writes for the cause of humanity ' Uncle 
Tom's Cabin ! ' " 

Mrs. Stowe visited England and was received with great enthusiasm, 
many public manifestations were made in receptions and public dinners, 
not only as to an author of world-wide renown but to one who had 
aroused " the slumbering sympathies of England in behalf of the suffer- 
ing slave." An English divine said; "she had furnished in her 'Uncle 
Tom' one of the most beautiful embodiments of the Christian faith that 
was ever presented to the world." 

" But remarkable as was the literary popularity of the book, its politi- 
cal and moral influence was hardly less so." Said Lord Palmerston to 
one from whose lips the remark was taken (as here quoted), "I have 
not read a novel for thirty years ; but I have read that book three times, 
not only for the story, but for the statesmanship of it ! " 

Lord Cockburn said, " She has done more for humanity than was ever 
before accomplished by any single book of fiction." 



English Chapters. ^05 

The first London edition was pnblislied in May, 1852. Before tlie 
close of the same year the booli had been translated into the French, 
Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Flemish, German, Polish and 
Magyar languages, and very soon into every European language and 
then into Arabic and Armenian. 

Mrs. Stowe after visiting Paris, Switzerland and Germany returned 
to America and subsequently selected Hartford, Ct., as her residence. 

Mrs. Lydia H. Sigourney. 
Mrs. Sigourney was a native of Norwich, Ct. The home influence of 
her mother, who so carefully directed her education in childhood, with 
the cultivated society of Norwich and Hartford, wrought lessons never 
to be forgotten during her life-long brilliant career. The memory of 
these years was to her most precious. Few persons through life have 
borne so lovingly the forms and afl-ections of their home-friends. The 
sweet influence of her friend, Madame Lathrop, a daughter of Governor 
Talcott of Hartford, was destined to prove educational to her young 
life. Mrs. Sigourney thus refers to her influence over herself, as like a 
golden thread that had run the whole woof of her life. 

Nov. 1, 1848, when Mrs. Sigourney was in London, the publishers of 
a volume of her prose and poetry thus announced its publication, "The 
author of this work has long been designated as the American Heraans." 
This comparison of Mrs. Sigourney to Mrs. Heraans was her introduc- 
tion to English society. In her journal while abroad she thus describes 
her visit. From a sketch of Mrs. Sigourney's travels in England and 
France. " Too late was I, Alas! for Mrs. Hannah More and Sir Walter 
Scott and Mrs. Hemans and Coleridge. Over Southey had settled that 
rayless cloud which lifted not till the pall enveloped him for his burial. 
Yet I was indulged in the privilege of the society of Wordsworth and 
Maria Edgworth and Joanna Baillie, a rich payment for crossing the 
storm tossed Atlantic. I was also favored with the acquaintance of Mrs. 
Norton, Mrs. Austin, the Countess of Blessington, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. 
Hall, the venerable poet Samuel Rogers, the philanthropic Mrs. Fry and 
her distinguished brother, John Joseph Gurney, with others whose 
classic pen had delighted me when life was new. In Scotland I was so 
fortunate as to meet John Foster, the essayist, aud Allen Cuuuiugham. 
And in Paris to share for several weeks the hospitalities of the elegant 
Marchioness Lavalette ... by whom I was introduced, among other 
memorable personages of that courteous clime, to Count Roy, one of 
the most high bred of the ancient noblesse; to De la Vigne, the lyrist, 
and the white haired philosopher vEago." While in France Mrs. 
Sigourney was presented at the French Court. 



596 The Records of Oxford. 

Mrs. L. H. Sigourney it is said represented the best and highest type 
of cultivated womanhood and held a higher place in the respect and 
affections of the American people than any other woman. "Her loving 
friendliness had made herself and her name everywhere a charm. Her 
life for its native gifts was so genial and lovable in deed and spirit, 
that her very life seemed a sort of divine benediction upon our age." 

During the last week of her life she spoke of her own translations 
from the Hebrew of the book of Jonah, and said, "I liked my own 
translation, it seemed so vivid. I have been thinking of one verse in 
particular. ' In the fainting away of my life I will think upon Jehovah, 
and he shall send forth for me from His Holy Temple.' " 

Her remains were borne to the Episcopal Church where she had so 
long worshipped. The sublime words of the burial service were said, 
and the long procession moved slowly to the cemetery. With holy 
words of prayer the precious form was laid gently to its rest, " Looking 
for the geuei'al resurrection at the last day, and the life of the world 
to come." Mrs. L. H. Sigourney died in Hartford, Ct., June 10, 1865. 
At sunset hour all the bells of the many churches tolled a requiem to 
her memory. 

Mrs. Sigourney's humanity to the suffering was great. Many were 
the widows and orphans who shared in her generous friendship the 
happiness of life. A young friend of Mrs. Sigourney often narrated a 
delightful visit to her during the Christmas holidays, when she accom- 
panied her in a visit to the orphans' home and saw her distribute 
Christmas cakes and little parcels of useful clothing. As Mrs. Sigourney 
lovingly distributed these gifts the smile of every orphan face welcomed 
her kindness, and her own face beamed with sweetness, for a smile of 
hers was always radiant with peace and good-will. — The late Miss 
Elizabeth De Witt. 

Dinah, "A Slave." 

In the town papers appears the draft of a petition to the General Court, 
from the Selectmen, representing that " Dinah a Negro Woman is in the 
Town of Oxford without any means of support by which reason she has 
become chargeable to said Town she being Aged and infirm ; by the best 
information we can get she was born in Sudbury in the County of Mid. 
dlesex & came into this Town upwards of 30 years ago & at length be- 
came a servant of one Charles Dabney who came into this Town from 
Providence in the latter part of y« year '76 [or a little later] but did not 
in any wise gain a habitance in s' Oxford, & remained servant to s'' Dab- 
ney until y" addoption of this State Constitution soon after which time 
S'' Dabney her master removed back to s'^ Providence & there soon after 
deceased & left S' Negro in Oxford without any means of support by which 



English Chaptet-s. cg'j 

reason she has become chargeable to s"* Town. Therefore your Petition- 
ers pray your Honours to take the case into your consideration & [give] 
us relief by considering her one of this State's Paupers, etc." 
An indorsement on this paper is dated 1807. 

Dinah, as appears, was for many years after Dabney's removal a faith- 
ful domestic in the family of Josiah Wolcott. 

Boston and Dinah, two slaves, with their two children, Genny and 
Silvy, were in the family of Josiah Wolcott, Esq., of Oxford. They 
were at one time in the possession of I3uncan Campbell, Esq., his brother- 
in-law, and when Dinah was no longer a slave she had a home in the 
family of Major Archibald Campbell, and previously in the family of 
Samuel Campbell. Faithful Dinah! ever in the kitchen, with her dark 
skirt and neat calico short dress (in the fashion of the time called a 
" long short"), with her blue checked apron and neat turban. In figure 
Dinah was extremely short but immensely stout. Sometimes she would 
be seen standing in the chimney corner making chocolate, for she was 
always busily at work, or maybe giving her orders to her young masters 
Campbell in the absence of their parents, and at whatever happened in 
the family or neighborhood she would at once declare " I've tellt ye so." 
Notwithstanding her temper was not always the sweetest, there was in 
Dinah a kind heart. 

During her service in the Wolcott family she was much attached to 
her two young mistresses. Miss Wolcott and her sister. Miss Mahetabel. 
After their marriages, for they left Oxford for distant homes in New 
Hampshire and Maine, Dinah would make many inquiries for the young 
ladies, and if opportunity ofl'ered, many messages of her love and "duty" 
were sent to them. 

The following town record is found of Dinah, after along life of faith- 
ful service : — 

"The town paid Samuel Campbell for supporting Diner a negro wench 
up to the 2 day of November 1807."— Oxford Toion Records. 

Nothing now remains to remind one of Dinah but her picture embroi- 
dered by the Wolcott ladies representing her as making the tea by pour- 
ing water from a tiny tea-kettle into the china cups containing the tea, 
as she was standing behind the chair of her mistress at the tea table. 
Jack, another slave in the Wolcott family, is represented in embroidery 
as passing to guests a silver salver with glasses filled with wine. 

Dinah lived to be one hundred years of age and died in 1829. Her 
grave was in the northeast corner of the churchyard, styled the poor 
corner. The late Andrew Sigourney, Esq., who had married one of the 
ladles of the Wolcott family, placed a headstone to her memory, naming 
her faithfulness in servitude. The humble gravestone of Dinah records 
the death of the last slave in Oxford. 



598 TJic Records of Oxford. 

After the termination of slavery in Massachusetts near the close of 
the last century, Jack and Phylis Whittemore, two freed slaves, with 
their child, Deborah, came to Oxford. They were most respectable in 
their characters. Their home was a small brown cottage on the old 
Charlton road, one mile west of the old North Common, just west of 
the river. It was long known as Jack's house. Jack died of a lingering 
consumption. * 'January 1 1797 gave Abner Mellen amount of one dollar 
and thirty three cents for digging Jack Whittemore*s grave." 

"On January 30, 179G the State paid the town a bill for the support of 
Jack Whittemore." — Toxmi Bccords. 

Story of Puylis Whittemore. 

In 17G0, or at a still later date, a vessel was at anchor oft" the Guinea 
coast; her boats were lowered and when manned put out for the shore. 
Phylis and her two brothers younger than herself were gathering nuts 
and berries when captured by the sailors. They were soon dragged on 
board the vessel, then came the battering down below hatches, and there 
like rats in a cage young and old were down in the hold of the vessel. 

If before being placed on board a slave-ship any poor African attempted 
to escape he was struck on the head and when senseless was thrown on 
board. Whenever the hatches were opened the poor captives would 
draw themselves off to the far end of the hold, as all who were sick were 
drawn out and thrown overboard with the dead. 

Phylis and her brothers were brought to Boston and were purchased 
from a slave-ship. Phylis was ten or twelve years of age according to 
her own account and with an uncovered head, with a single scant gar- 
ment of coarse hempen cloth covering her body, with her two brothers 
stood friendless, dejected and travelworn on the auction slave-stand in 
Boston, Mass., her sad face showing a hopeless sorrow, while the auc- 
tioneer glibly enumerated her various qualities — good looking, healthy, 
active — with all the coarseness and iudifi'erence that he would have 
spoken of an animal or any article of commerce. Soon Phylis and her 
brothers were sold, and all to difl'erent masters, never to meet again. 
During her whole life Phylis would speak of this parting scene with 
bitterness and with maledictions. 

Phylis Whittemore was much employed in service in the family of Mr, 
James Butler, and Deborah, her child, was in service to the family for 
many years of her life, having been taken by Mi-s. Butler in her child- 
hood on the death of her mother. She was taught reading, spelling, and 
to keep accounts correctly, with plain needlework. Deborah excelled in 
all departments of the kitchen and as a housekeeper. At her death she 



English Chapters. 599 

was mourned as a loss to her friends for lier moral excellence of charac- 



ter. 



November 24, 1800, Phylis Whitteraore left Mrs. Butler's for home in 
a snow storm, and was found dead in the road next morning. 

Among a list of notes and papers delivered to Peter Butler, Esq., 
Town Treasurer of Oxford for the year 1807, from the late Samuel 
Campbell, Treasurer, there was a note of Amos Shumway, Jr., to pay 
Deborah Jack* twelve dollars and interest, amount due, $15.51. 

Richard Moore, Esq., owned Sharper, a slave, and sold him, 1736, to 
Joshua Haynes of Sudbury. Richard Moore, Jr., in 1755, owned Csesar, 
a slave. Moses Marcy, in 1747, owned a female slave. 1771, William 
Watson is taxed for two slaves ; in 1775 a slave was sold as a part of his 

"A likely Negro man, 20 years of age fit for service town or country 
for sale. Inquire of Daniel Johonnot at his house near the sign of the 
Buck in Marlborough street, Boston." 

In a letter of Gabriel Bernon, the president of the French Plantations 
of New Oxford, to the son of Governor Dudley, October, 1720, he writes 
of his losses while interested in the French plantation of Oxford, and 
included his servant, "negro Tom, who was drowned, at fifty pounds 
loss." This is the record of the first slave in Oxford. 

Bernon, being anxious to hold possession of his French plantation in 
New Oxford, had placed one Cooper and a " negro Tom" to occupy the 
premises, "the howse and farme at New oxford called the olde mill," 
the late Captin Humphrey's estate, now occupied by his descendants. 

In the will of Rev. John Campbell, bearing the date of August 1, 1760, 
is the following item; "I bequeath to my son William my saddle horse 
and furniture, together with all that part and number of my cattle, sheep 
and swine that remain undisposed of in this Instrument, as also my 
neTO servant 'Will' to be kindly used and improved and supported by 
him during his natural life and at the Expiration thereof to give him de- 
cent Christian Burial." 

Mingo, a slave owned by Col. Ebenezer Learned. At the decease of 
Col Learned, Mingo was to be kept in the family. This item in the will 
of Col. Learned : "And support my negro man Mingo during his life and 
decently bury s'd Mingo at his death." 

In 1771, on a town list for Oxford, Mr. Thomas Davis is taxed for a 

«' servant for life," one of the four negro slaves then owned in Oxford. 

Mary, a daughter of Mr. John Davis of Oxford, on her marriage to 

Major Nathaniel Healy of Dudley, Jan. 3, 1788, became the mistress of 



*Deborah Whittemore. 



6oo The Records of Oxford. 

" Violet," once a slave, who had been owned by the Healy family. Vio- 
let had been taken from the African coast and brought to New England 
with a brother when children and sold. When surprised by their captors 
they were watching the rice fields to keep oflf the little monkeys from 
committing their depredations on the rice. 



Sotcs, %U. 



NOTES, ETC. 

Proclamation. 

On April 12, 1712, the original proprietors issued the fallowing 
proclamation : 

'< We the underwritten with other owners and proprietors of the 
lands at Oxford in the neepmug country granted to us by the general 
assembly of the Massachusetts colony, and since otherwise ratified 
and confirmed to ourselves in the Kingdom of Great Britain, having 
long time determined and surveyed ten or twelve thousand acres for a 
village and settlement of inhabitants and accordingly established a 
number of French Famalyes, Refugees, who have since deserted the 
plan whereby all improvements are lost which is a detriment to the 
province as well as to ourselves in the hope of our own private advan- 
tage by our other lands— do hereby agree and offer to thirty English 
that shall settle there to give grant and confirm to them all the lands of 
the said village containing the said ten thousand acres, except what is 

already granted to Mr. Bernon which is acres to be laid out to 

them, first a quantity of it in house lots not exceeding forty acres a 
family, and after the rest in proper divisions as they may agree always 
provided they be thirty families, and in the mean time if ten families or 
more shall proceed forthwith within a year to settle there, they shall 
have their house lots set out to them, and they as they have the use of 
the other land meadows until the number be thirty, and then they have 
liberty to divide the whole. 

" If any of the French families choose to come thither we do hereby 
save to ourselves liberty to establish them with other inhabitants, and 
Capt. Chandler the surveyor is hereby allowed to lay out lots accord- 
ingly, taking care always that he do not intrench upon the land of the 
proprietors. 

" Signed J. Dudley, 

William Taylok, 

Peter Sargent, 

Sargent, 

John Danforth, 

Eliza Danforth, 
603 



Heirs and Executors 
Wm. Stoughton." 



604 ^^Ji(^ Records of Oxford. 

In May, 1713, the surveying of house lots commenced to those who 
had made a selection with a view to the permanent settlement of 
Oxford. The required number was completed during the month of 
July, and on the eighth day of that mouth the proprietors executed a 
deed conveying to the thirty English colonists a plantation for the 
village. 

Proprietors' Records. 

Deed of the Village. 

" To all people unto whome these presents shall come, Joseph Dudley 
of Roxbury . . . William Taylor of Dorchester . . . Peter 
Sergeant of Boston Esq. and Mehetabell his wife, John Danforth 
of Dorchester, and Elizabeth his wife, John Nelson of Boston Esqr. 
and Elizabeth his wife as the said William Taylor, Peter Sergeant, 
John Nelson, and John Danforth are the heirs and Executors of the 
Hon. William Stoughton, late of Dorchester, Esq. Dcc'd. 

Send Greeting — 
" Whereas the General Court of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay 
one Thousand six hundred and Eighty Two Granted to the said Joseph 
Dudley, William Stoughton Major Robert Thompson and their Asso- 
ciates a Certain Tract of Land Scituate in the Nipmug Country of Eight 
miles Square for a Township etc. as may be seen by the records of the 
said Generall Court, Pursuant whereunto and for the uses aforesaid the 
Joseph Dudley William Stoughton and their Associates in the Year 
One Thousand Six hundred and Eighty & brought over Thirty French 
Protestant families into this Country and Settled them upon Easteriuost 
part or end of the said Tract of land and severed and granted and Sett 
apart Twelve Thousand Acres for a village Called Oxford for the said 
Families and bounded it as by a Piatt upon record will more fully 
appear Butt foreasmuch as the said French families have many years 
since wholly left and Deserted their Settlements in refusing to return 
upon public proclamation made for that end as by the Voluntary Sur- 
render of the most of them are now reinvested in restored and become 
the Estate and at the Disposition of the Original proprietors . . . for 
the ends afore said And Whereas there are sundry good families 
of Her Majesties Subjects within this province who offer themselves to 
go and Resettle the said village . . . Now Know Ye that the said 
[Grantors] . . . have freely . . • and do give grant and Confirme unto 
Samuel Ilagbourne, John Town, Daniell Elliott, Abiel Lamb, Joseph 
Chamberlin, Benjamin Nealand, Benoni Twitchell, Joseph Rockett, 
Benjamin Chamberlin, Joshua Whitney, Thomas Hunkins, Joseph 



Notes. Etc. 605 

Chamberlin, Jr. Oliver Coller, Daniell Pearson, Abram Skinner, 
Ebeuezer Ciiamberlin, James Coller, Isaac Learned, Ebenezer Learned, 
Thomas Leason [Gleason], Ebenezer Humphrey, Jona. Tillotson, 
Edmund Taylor, Ephraim Town, Israel Town, William Hudson, 
Daniell Elliott, Jr. Nathaniel Chamberlin, John Chandler, Jun. Joshua 
Chandler, and others their associates, so as their number amount thirty 
families at least All That Part of the said Tract of land . . . known 
by the name of Oxford. Excepting and reserving [that part purchased 
by Gabriel Bernon.] ... To have and to hold the same . . . Provided 
that if any of the . . . Grantees . . . Shall ... to settle upon and 
improve the said Land ... by the space of two years ... or shall 
leave and Desert the Same and not return to their respective Habita- 
tions . . . [then said lands should be forfeited and given to others who 
should be willing to] ' settle and Inhabit them.' 

" To witness whereof the partys above named to these presents have 
hereunto set their hands and seals the Eight day of July A. D. 1713." 

" Grand Proprietors' Lots." 

" The original grant of land lying west of Oxford Village, emln-acing 
30,000 acres, and now included in parts of Dudley, Charlton and South- 
bridge, was equally divided between the five original grantees and 
styled ' The Grand Proprietors' Lots.' Of the southernmost 6,000 
acres, Joseph Dudley's share, the larger portion was in 1731 included in 
the town of Dudley, the western portion being now a part of South- 
bridge. In his will Mr. Dudley gave to his daughters, viz., Rebecca, 
the wife of Samuel Sewall, Jr. ; Anne, the wife of Adam Winthrop ; 

Katharine wife of Hon. William Dummer; and Mary, wife of 

WaiuAvright, each 1,000 acres of land out of his 6,000 acres at Oxford : 
and to his nephew Daniel Allen, and niece Ann Hilton, who married 
Ebenezer Pierpont, each 500 acres of the same. His son Paul being 
residuary legatee inherited the remaining 1,000 acres. Through these 
children and their heirs the lands were sold to promote the settlement 
of Oxford." 

The *' second 6,000 acre lot of John Blackwell's was sold by his 
heirs, Frances his widow, and John Blackwell, merchant, both of 
Bethnal Green, Stepney, England, 25 April, 1720, to Peter Papillon of 
Boston, mariner. Papillon had four daughters, — Elizabeth who mar- 
ried first John Wolcott, and second John Higginson, both of Salem; 
Katharine who married in 1734 George Gibbs and died before 1749 ; 
Martha who married first Richard Williams of Boston, who removed in 
1741 to Oxford where he died, and second John Ballard of Boston ; and 
Mary who married William Thomas of Plymouth in 1739, styled mari- 
ner and later physician. 



6o6 The Records of Oxford. 

" After tlie decease of rapillon these Hands, excepting several small 
lots previously sold by liira, were divided among these four daughters. 
John Wolcott was administrator of his estate, and Isaac Larned, Ilev. 
John Campbell and Col. Ebenezer Learned of Oxford weie chosen to 
make a division. John Wolcott received the southeast SOOacre lot 
[with other tracts further Avest] which 500 acres he and Iliggiiison, the 
second husband of Elizabeth, sold chiefly to John Larned and Josiah 
Kings. Richard Williams' portion embraced besides a tract west in 
Charlton. The 500-acre lot at the east end adjoining Wolcott's on the 
north, being the lot formerly occupied by Gibbs, on which he had built 
a house, then going to ruin. Hei-e Williams is supposed to have built 
a house in which he resided until his decease. Nearly the whole of 
this tract was sold by Williams, executor, to Ebenezer Coburn. 

" In 1732 Moses Marcy of Woodstock purchased of Papillon the 
water-power and laud adjoining, at what is now Southbridge centre, 
which he improved. The balance of the Papillon tract was sold in lots 
to purchasers by his heirs." 

The "third G.OOO acres, William Stoughton's, who was unmarried, 
was in 1704 divided among four heirs, as follows : to William Taylor 
one-fourth; to John Nelson and his wife Elizabeth one-fourth; to Hon. 
John Danforth and Elizabeth his wife one-fourth ; and to Thomas 
Cooper and his wife Mehetable one-fourth. On 5 Dec, 1717, John 
Nelson and wife Elizabeth sold one-third of 6,000 acres to Samuel 
Brown of Salem. At the time of the Revolution William Brown owned 
4,000 acres, a large portion of this tract, but being a loyalist it was 
confiscated. In 1771 the heirs of William Taylor and Mather Byles and 
wife Rel)ecca sold more than 1,00Q acres to Samuel Danforth of Cam- 
bridge, Elizabeth Williams of Roxbury, Elijah Dunbar of Stoughton, 
and Hannah the wife of Rev. John Searle of Stoneham. May, 1782, 
the then owners of the 6,000 acres made a division as follows : A line 
running east and west Avas drawn through the tract, Samuel Danforth 
of Boston, physician, Elizabeth Danforth of Boston, Elijah Dunl)ar 
of Stoughton and Joseph Dowse of Salem that lying south thereof. 

" In 1784, John Fessenden, Caleb Amidown and Jonathan Warner, a 
committee to sell confiscated estates in Worcester County, represented 
to the Supreme Court that there were in Charlton and Oxford 3,000 
acres of unimproved lands of Avhich ' tAvo-thirds belonged to William 
BroAvn of Salem, conspirator, now the property of the Commonwealth, 
and one-third to Joseph Blaney, all common and i;ndivided,* and asked 
for a division, Avhicli Avas granted. Dec. 4, 1784, a division Avas 
agreed upon, Blaney being then of AVindham, Maine. In 1785 a 
large part of his share was sold on execution. Thus the BroAvn lands, 
which had laid long unimproved, were brought into market. April, 1785, 



Notes. Etc. 



607 



eight 100-acre lots, excepting GO acres, were sold by the State Committee 
to Ebenezer Davis for £835. Jacob Davis was purchaser of several 
lots. That part of the 0,000 acres lying south of the dividing line was 
distributed by Dauforth and Dunbar to purchasers for settlement. 

" The fourth division, Coxe's, was deeded June, 1701, by Daniel Cox, 
physician, of London, to his son Daniel. The tract was early sul)di- 
vided, the northern third having been conveyed to Thomas Freak of 
Ilanningtou, Wiltshire, England, and the southern to John Blackwell, 
Cox retaining the central third. Freak deeded, Feb., 1700, his 2,000 
acres in trust for Mary the daughter of his son John, then a' merchant 
of Boston. She married. May, 1694, Josiah Wolcott of Salem, and 16 
Dec, 1730, being then a widow, deeded the 2,000 acres to Edward 
Kitchen and Frake, his wife, of Salem, who sold in lots to settlers. 

" The southern third part was sold by Blackwell's heirs, with his 
large 6,000 acre lot, to Peter Tapillon and divided with that among his 
heirs into four e(iual portions of 600 acres each. The essterly 500 
acres, which extended into Oxford to the village line, was drawn by 
Richard Williams and embraced the mill privilege known as John 
Rich's in Charlton. In 1747 Williams sold this water-power to 
Jonathan, Jr., and Ephraim Ballard, who then built a saw-mill. In 
1754 Ephraim sold to Jonathan, who continued to operate the mill, 
built a potash factory and added to his estate, and in April, 1774, sold 
to Ebenezer Davis and David Rich, both of Charlton, 180 acres, part in 
Oxford and part in Charlton. In 1777 Davis sold to Rich, who added a 
gristmill and early in the present century a wool-carding mill. He died 
there, leaving as his successor his son, John II., who lived to old ao-e, 
and died there Oct., 1883. " 

The remainder of the southern one-third was allotted to John 
Wolcott, Molly Papillon, later Mrs. William Thomas, and Katharine 
[Mrs. George Gibbs] 500 acres each. 

The central third remained the property of Daniel Cox, Jr., who came 
to America and died in 1737 at Trenton, N. J. His heirs after many 
years made Ezra Taylor of Southboro [later, of Townalsboro', Me.] 
their attorney. Numerous settlers had gone upon the premises and 
taken possession, and in a majority, perhaps without controversy, sales 
were made to the occupants. Several suits, however, were brought for 
ejectment, and among them one became of much importance as*a test 
case. This suit was brought by Taylor at the November term of 1774, 
in the Court of Common Pleas at Worcester, in the name of Williani 
Cox of Bristol, Penn., and others, against John Edwards of Charlton. 
Trial June term 1773, verdict for Cox et al. Edwards appealed to the 
higher court. The Revolutionary struggle coming on the case was not 
heard until 1780, when under the new State Constitution it came up 



6o8 The Records of Oxford. 

before the Supreme Judicial Court and was prosecuted with great 
vigor. According to the report printed in an appendix to Vol. 14, 
Mass., 491, the law of the case was argued several times by Paine 
for the demandants and Sprague and Lincoln for the tenant, and after 
long consideration by the court judgment was finally entered, Oct. 
terra, 1782, for the demandants. Two points were made for the tenant 
by his counsel. [1.] The deed from Cox, Sen., to Cox, Jr., was not 
executed according to statute requirements, but the court held, never- 
theless, that the execution of the deed in London had been sufficiently 
proved by the testimony of a resident of Philadelphia who witnesseth 
its signature. [2.] There had been no livery of seizin. On this point 
the court held, that in accordance with the common of most colonial 
lawyers, the feudal ceremony of grantor going with grantee personally 
upon the premises conveyed and then giving him in hand the twig of a 
tree or piece of turf from the soil as a symbolical delivery of the land, 
was not necessary in Massachusetts. This is thought to be the first 
reported decision of the American court upon the subject. Of course 
after this decision Cox's title was not generally disputed, and Taylor 
was able to collect from other parties the sums due from lands. Deeds 
from Charlton settlers were numerous. 

The fifth 6,000 acres of Robert Thompson's descended to his four 
daughters, who received each 1,000 acres of the west portion, and his 
only son Joseph who received 2,500 acres, the east part, there being an 
overplus of 500 acres. Joseph was of Nonsuch Parli, Parish of Ewell, 
Surrey, Eug., and his heirs, living in March, 1754, were Thomas 
Whately, Sen., and his wife Mary, who were also of Nonsuch Park, 
Thomas Whately, Jr., Stamp Brooksbank and wife Elizabeth, these at 
that date deeded to Ebenezer Learned and Edward Davis the said tract 
of 2, .500 acres. Davis owned the west part and settled his sons upon it. 
Learned received the portion bounded on Maanexit River at North 
Oxford, embracing the present Texas Village. From a record C. 11, 
591, Thomas Whately died possessed, partly by inheritance from his an- 
cestor Robert Thompson, and partly by purchase of two-thirds of the 
original 0,000 acres, he having bought the interest of tlie four daugh- 
ters ; therefore Joseph, the son of the said Thomas Whately, being 
of " Nonsuch Park, clerk and professor in Gresham College, and the 
only surviving heir of said Thomas," on IG Oct., 1786, deeded to 
Samuel Danforth of Boston, physician, the said two-thirds of 4,000 
acres of the westerly portion of the said tract. 

An Ancient London Record. 
Prior to the year 1628, a corporation was formed in London of 
" Adventurers for a Plantation intended at Mattachusetts Bay in Newe 



Notes. Etc. 609 

England in America." An account of George Ilarwood, Treasurer, 
appears on page 1, vol. 2, of the Trobate Records of Suffolk County, the 
heading of which is as follows : 

" In the name of God, Amen." London, May, 1G28. " Sundrie men 
owe unto the general stock of the Adventurers for a plantation intended 
at Mattachusetts Bay in newe England America the some of ten thou- 
sand one hundreth and sixtic pounds and is for soe much undertaken by 
the particular persons mentioned hereafter by these several subscrib- 
tions to be by them adventured to this joint and general stock . . . for 
the plantation, whereunto the Almighty grant prosperous and happy 
success, that the same may redound to his glorie the ... of the 
Gospell of Jesus Christ and the particular good of the . . . Adventur- 
ers that now or hereafter shall be interested therein. The persons 
nowe to be made debtors to the gen'll stock arc as followeth, vizt." 

[Nearly one hundred names are appended.] 

NoTK. " September 17th, 1G30. According to an order of Gov. John 
Winthrop and his company, who held a council at Charleston, the 
name Trimountaine was ordered changed to Boston in compliment to 
the much honored Isaac Johnson, one of the foremost in the enterprise, 
who was a native of Boston, in Lincolnshire, England. 

HoBART Ghant, South Gork. 

Into the capital stock of this company Richard AVestland of Boston, 
England, paid £.50. Subscribers were entitled to lands in proportion to 
their payments. From a petition of Rev. Samuel Whiting of Lynn, pre- 
sented to the authorities 28 May, 1679, we learn that Westland nearly 
50 years before had made a deed of gift of his rights to said Whiting, 
he being a brother-in-law. In this memorial he asks that five or six 
hundred acres of land might be set off to him ; on which it was voted : 
"Granted to Mr. Whiting, Sen., and his heires six hundred acres of 
Land." After Mr. Whiting's decease, upon application of Mrs. Elizabeth 
Hobart, his daughter and sole heir, in 1717, the grant of GOO acres was 
set off to her at the north end of Chaubunagungamaug Pond. On 7 May, 
1718, Elizabeth Hobart of Hartford, widow of Jeremiah Hobart, clergy- 
man, late of Haddam, for £G0, deeded this estate to Josiah Dwight, 
first minister of Woodstock, who on 28 May, 172G, sold the same for 
£550 to Josiah Kingsbury of Needham. In 1732 Josiah Kingsbury sold 
the north part of this tract to his son Theodore, and in 1737 the south 
part to his son Josiah, who both occupied as settlers. 

The original grant to Mrs. Hobart included the " Falls," the spot 
where, before 1728, on the stream issuing from Chaubunagungamaug, 
the first saw-mill was built. George Robinson in 1719 bought the land 



6io TJic Records of Oxford. 

adjoining on the west and had taken possession of tbe water-power and 
had built a mill. In 1728 Josiah Kingsbury, in a petition to the General 
Court, represents the facts and asks for a grant of 23 acres of poor 
land near the mouth of Sucker Brook as a compensation. The matter 
was referred to John Chandler, who reported "that there is cut off 
from the Original [Hobart] Survey . . . about three acres, on the same 
stands a Saw-Mill the conveniency for which was a great inducement 
to carry the bounds of the farm so far westward." He then reviews 
and describes the land petitioned for and gives his opinion "that it 
hardly was equivalent to the Fall or Mill place." 

The Roxbury School Grant. 

On IG October, 16C0, the General Court passed the following: " The 
Court Judgeth it meete to graunte the town of Roxbury five hundred 
acres of land toward the maintenance of a free school." On 24 Nov., 
1715, a petition was presented to the Court signed by several citizens of 
Roxbury stating that a grant of 500 acres for the free school had been 
made in ir.fiO but had never been laid out, asking that action might be 
taken in the case ; on which it was voted that leave be given to have a 
plan made and presented. On 14 Nov., 1718, a plot was returned and 
said grant was confirmed. According to this plot, now in the State 
archives, the mouth of Sucker Brook was the first bound, the line ran 
thence northeasterly, thence at a right angle southeasterly, thence at a 
right angle southwesterly to the pond, at what was later Mr. Campbell's 
line, about one-third of a mile south of Brown's cove or pond, so 
called, thence uortheily following the shore of the pond, including all 
the long arm stretching into it, to the first bound at Sucker Brook. 

On 12 June, 1770, John Baker and Joseph Mayo of Roxbury, com- 
mittee to sell the school lands, deeded to Hezekiah Bellows 279 aci-es 
" on the neck." On 9 Feb., 1779, Bellows deeded to James Cudworth 
324 acres with a house and half a saw-mill. In June of the nest year 
Cudworth, then living on the premises, sold the whole bought of 
Bellows to John Wight; on 12 June, 1781, Wight deeded back to 
Cudworth, who on 22 June, 1781, deeded the same, excepting half a saw- 
mill, reserved to Jacob Barrett, to Dr. James Gleason and Asa 
Robinson. 

On 25 Feb., 1774, said Baker and Mayo, committee, deeded to Rev. 
Joseph Bowman of Oxford 247^ acres, the remainder of the original 
grant, being the northern portion, reserving a road for Bellows, then 
living on the south part. In 1774 Mr. Bowman deeded 100 acres of the 
north to Oliver Barrett of Killingly, Conn., and on 9 July, 1777, 117 
acres, part of the same, to Nathan Smith of Sutton. In 1780 Smith sold 
15 acres, on which was a saw-mill, to Jacob Barrett. 1781 Bowman 



Notes. Etc. 61 1 

sold 55 acres to Hezekiah Bellows. On 13 June, 1782, Nathan Smith 
and Elizabeth his wife, of South Gore, deeded to John Boyce of 
Mendon, housewright, 105 acres and buildings, being the uortlicast 
part of the Roxbury School Farm. In 178(J Boyce sold to Benoni 
Benson and Abraham Staples, both of Mendon, who in 1792 sold to 
Philip Brown, who kept a public house. 

In May, 1683, on account of services rendered to the Province, a 
grant of 500 acres of land was made to Major Robert Thompson 'of 
London, which was confirmed to him Feb., 1727. It Avas bounded on the 
west by the Hobart or Kingsbury land, on the north Ijy Oxford Villa-e, 
and on the east by Dr. Douglas' land. On 2G Nov., 1803, Thoniks 
Corbett and Elizabeth, his wife, she being heir and devisee of Robert 
Thompson of Elsham, County of Lincoln, England, deeded for .«;750 the 
" Thompson farm " to James Butler of Oxford. Mr. Butler brought a 
suit for ejectment against Benjamin Davis and obtained possession. A 
large portion of this land is known as Douglas Woods. ]ieul)en Dudley 
is present owner of a portion which has been improved. 

Cajipbell Grant. 
Rev. John Campbell representing he required aid in the work of the 
ministry at Oxford, and asking in 1730 for a grant of land, was voted 
his request. A plan in the State archives is endorsed: "This plan 
describes the boundary of 310 acres of land with a pond, lying South of 
Oxford on the South east side of Roxbury School Farm, east from 
Dudley town on the east side of Chaubunagungamaug Pond, bounded 
east and south with a line of marked trees on the Province land, sur- 
veyed and laid out in pursuance of the grant of the General Court of 
this Province in their full session of 173G to the Rev. Mr. John 
Campbell of Oxford, by Isaac Earned, surveyor, and Samuel Davis and 
John Earned, chainmen. Surveyed 18 Mar., 1737, aud ratified Tnn 
1738." ' ■' 

The north line of this grant was about one-third of a mile southerly 
of what is known as Brown's Pond and it extended south more than a 
mile on the lake shore, and east 118 rods from the lake at the southern 
extremity and 210 at the northern. On 20 March, 1765, Edward 
Wigglesworth, to whom it was sold l)y Mr. Campbell's executors 
deeded it, estimating it at 400 acres, including a pond, to Levi Wight 
and Dr. James Gleason, both of Thompson Parish. Dr. Green'of 
Leicester later held a mortgage upon it, aud in 1777 his heirs quit- 
claimed it as follows : " to Levi Wight 120 acres, to Dr. James Gleason 
180 acres, and to Aaron Wakefield and Amos Wakefield each one-half of 
100 acres." William Wakefield is named as one of the interested 
parties. 



6i2 The Records of Oxford. 

NoKTU GoKK Lands. 

" The Petition of Herbert Pclliam, late of Cambridge in Mattachu- 
setts, now for the present in England resident, Slieweth ; Tliat whereas 
there is to the said Herbert due from this colonic of Mattachuset eight 
hundred acres of land for the consideration of and in reference unto a 
hundred pound about 17 years ago, he the said Herbert Avith his father 
[Thomas Waldegrave] put into the common stoclv, it is therefore the 
desire of the said Herbert that you will be pleased to grauut to him the 
said number of akers and what more you shall for his forbearance 
think convenient, in such place as not prejudicing any plantation he the 
said Herbert shall by his agents lind out and allot upon, and that this 
Present Court will further to answer your petitioner that upon notice 
"•iven he may with all convenient speed eflect his desire and make 
return thereof unto the Court, that whether present or absent he may 
remain ever mindful to be yours in what otllce of love he the said 
Herbert shall be able to Pleasure this Colonic. 

" Presented the 19 day of the 8 m. 1648, In the name of Herbert 
Pelham, Esqr., in his absence by Henry Dunster at the motion of the 
said Herbert by his letters dated Ferrers, Apr. 4, 1648." 

1G4^, Oct. 27. In answer to this petition, it was ordered that Mr. 
Pelham "should have his 400 akers of land" and also the heirs of 
Thomas Waldgrave another " 400 akers " in such place as "not preju- 
dicing any plantation he the sd. Herbert shall lind out and allot upon." 

Mr. Pelham was a man of high position among the people of the 
" Mattachuset Colonic," second to John Winthrop on the list of assist- 
ants from 1G45 to 1G49, and the first treasurer of Harvard College. The 
subscription " to the conmion stock" refers to that made in London for 
the aid and encouragement of the new colony then being organized for 
the settlement of Boston. 

In June, 1703, Penelope Winslow of Marshfleld represented to the 
Court that she was the daughter of Mr. Pelham and that the said grant 
had never been laid out, and asked for consideration. Later, Isaac 
and Elizabeth Winslow, only children and heirs of Dame Penelope 
Winslow, petitioned that the grants to Pelham Waldgrave might be set 
oil" to them. In 1718 Isaac Winslow and Elizabeth Burton that 
they had selected and surveyed "according to the law in this case" 
400 acres, being one-half of the 800 due them. 400 acres they sold to 
Daniel Livermore in Weston, one of the proprietors and settlers at 
Leicester, who chose his 400 acres in the " Country Gore." 

May, 1719, the Court granted one-half of 800 acres, " which was 
formerly granted to Mr. Edward Pelham and lately granted to Mr. 
Edward Pelham and Coll. Isaac Winslow, Esq., and his sister, said laud 



Notes. Etc. 6i2 

lying bet^-een Oxford and Leicester, bounded ivith Oxford line and 
every where Els with country Land as is si-nified in this plat " A 
committee of >vhich William Dudley was chairman, reported to the 
Court that these lauds embraced 10,751 acres. It was then ordered that 
this land should be sold, only reserving 400 of Herbert Pelhara, Esqr 
which fell to Isaac Winslow and his sister. '' 

In 1721 William Dudley reported to the Court that he had sold 10 000 
acres, etc., but could not give a title as it was not laid out in 'any 
county. Upon which it was resolved that the said 10,000 be annexed 
and accounted a part of Suffolk County. There were many purchasers 
for this land, among them was Rev. John Campbell of Oxford who 
bought 300 acres. Ebenezer Learned bought a 300-acre lot and also one- 
half a 600-acre " gussett or gore," which was the acute angle of the plot 
extending east to Worcester corner; he having the east division and 
Mrs. Ann Stone, widow of John Stone of Framingham and the mother 
of Micah Stone, the west portion, bounding north on Leicester, east on 
Ebenezer Learned. Mrs. Ann Stone died 25 March, 1733, at Framino-. 
ham. This 300 acres in the Gore came into possession of James Stone 
and later into the possession of Micah Stone of Framingham, and his 
son Daniel " administered on land in the Gore " [Barry], who removed 
and resided in Oxford the remainder of his life. The Avestern and 
broader portion of the original Gore to the amount of 3,000 acres or 
more is now a part of Sturbridge. The large central portion is 
embraced in Charlton. The acute angle was included in the town of 
Ward at its founding 1778. A tract remained between Leicester and 
Oxford of 738 acres, which in 1738 was made apart of Oxford. 



^W- 



804 




p-l 



